Iran announced today that a deal with Oman, intended to define new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, is nearing completion. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi made it clear the vital waterway will not reopen until the United States meets specific conditions. He reiterated that the agreement, now in its "final stages," hinges on the US fulfilling these demands.
Mehr news agency quoted Araghchi, stating the new shipping lanes would only be used once the US satisfies Iran's conditions and the strait is reopened. This comes as regional tensions continue to mount, fueled by ongoing US and Israeli military actions.
US Aggression and Blockade
Araghchi emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depends on conditions that include US compensation to Iran for its "widespread attacks." Mohammad Baqer Zolqadr, secretary of Iran's top national security body, further detailed these demands. He called for an end to US threats against Iran, a halt to aggression against Iran and its Lebanese, Palestinian, Yemeni, and Iraqi allies, the lifting of blockades and sanctions on Iran, and the freeing of Iranian assets.
The United States initiated air strikes on Iran in late February 2026, claiming the goal was to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons or threatening the region. A ceasefire was agreed in June 2026, but the US reimposed a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf in July 2026. Tehran has consistently labeled this reimposition a violation of the truce, which it says had already broken down.
A US official, speaking anonymously on Friday, indicated that an agreement between Iran and Oman was close. This official stated that the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports "once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments." The official tied US actions directly to Iran's implementation of its commitments, suggesting a delicate sequencing of events. Sources told Reuters this arrangement appeared to grant Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through the strait, a prospect shippers found challenging.
Regional Resistance
The United Arab Emirates reported on Saturday that Iran had attacked a ship linked to its state oil company. Iran offered no immediate comment on the accusation. These alleged Iranian strikes on Strait of Hormuz shipping coincide with increased attacks by its Yemen-based allies, the Houthis. The Houthis have targeted ships at another critical oil chokepoint between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Last month, the Houthis declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea. They stated this was in response to what they described as a Saudi siege in Yemen, an allegation Riyadh denies. Saudi Arabia supports Yemen's internationally recognized government. Today, the Houthis claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery. Military spokesperson Yahya Saree posted on X that the refinery, which processes 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily, had been struck. This attack occurred two days after Saudi Arabia signed a defense pact with Sunni Muslim allies Turkey and Pakistan. The kingdom cited growing regional instability stemming from the "US-Israeli war on Shi'ite Iran" as the reason for this new alliance. The Saudi energy ministry confirmed a fire at the refinery but reported no injuries, with authorities managing the incident without specifying a cause. The Houthis have previously targeted Aramco sites in Jazan and Yanbu on the Red Sea, and also carried out strikes on the Yemeni Red Sea port of Mocha, according to three sources in the Aden-based government.
Diplomatic Stalemate
Despite the ongoing tensions, Iran and the US are not engaged in direct talks. Foreign Minister Araghchi affirmed that Tehran will not initiate discussions as long as Washington continues to breach an interim deal signed in June. Messages are, however, being exchanged through intermediaries. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated that the new Saudi-Turkey-Pakistan alliance was not directed against Iran or any other nation, but rather served as a general pledge to support security. He added that the allies would consult to determine the degree, form, and format of support requested in the event of an attack.