WASHINGTON — The United States is closing in on an interim maritime agreement with Iran and Oman, aiming to announce a deal Wednesday that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy shipments. The arrangement, negotiated over several weeks, comes after White House officials chose to allow more time for diplomacy rather than approve immediate military strikes.
Under the proposed 60-day framework, all inbound vessel traffic into the Persian Gulf would transit a northern lane through Iranian waters, while outbound traffic into the Arabian Sea would use a southern lane through Omani waters, coordinated with Tehran. No tolls or fees would be assessed during the temporary period, and parties would work to clear naval mines from a median lane within 30 days, which a future permanent agreement would use for two-way traffic.
The deal represents a diplomatic off-ramp after weeks of clandestine clashes that threatened the flow of crude oil. For American motorists and domestic industries, stability in the Strait is a direct economic necessity; any prolonged disruption would spike fuel costs and slow production timelines for U.S. manufacturers reliant on steady energy inputs. The temporary arrangement temporarily places vessel traffic under a scheme that grants the Iranian regime operational oversight it did not possess before hostilities escalated.
The White House, Oman and regional mediators thought they had a deal with Iran three weeks ago, only to see Iran resume attacks on ships.
Qatari, Pakistani, and Saudi officials were involved in mediation channels, according to regional sources. In recent days, White House envoy Steve Witkoff engaged directly with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi. While Araghchi signaled agreement over the weekend, final approval from the Iranian Supreme National Security Council was reportedly completed by Tuesday.
The administration’s posture reflects a calculation to avoid an open-ended military commitment in the Persian Gulf, rejecting the pressure of foreign lobbying interests that have historically pushed for kinetic action. However, the White House has made clear that significant military strikes remain on the table if a final accord is not secured. For now, the focus remains on clearing shipping lanes and restoring order under a provisional framework that prioritizes American and global economic stability.