Iran’s Strait of Hormuz proposal could reopen a vital shipping lane if Tehran and Washington reach an agreement to prevent fresh conflict. A source briefed by Iran said Tehran may allow ships to pass freely through the Omani side of the strait without attack, provided negotiations with the United States produce a deal.
The proposal emerged after the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran caused major disruption to global oil and gas flows. The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas traffic, making any restriction there a global concern.
Hundreds of tankers, other vessels, and about 20,000 seafarers have remained stuck inside the Gulf since the war began on February 28. Although a two-week ceasefire took effect on April 8, control over the strait remains central to the talks.
Iran may let ships use the Omani side of the narrow waterway without interference. However, key details remain unresolved.
The source did not say whether Iran would remove any mines it may have placed in that area. It also remains unclear whether all vessels, including ships linked to Israel, would receive safe passage.
Still, the proposal marks a notable shift. In recent weeks, Tehran had floated far more confrontational options, including charging ships for passage and asserting sovereignty over the strait. The global shipping industry viewed those ideas as unprecedented and contrary to maritime conventions.
Why the Strait of Hormuz matters
The Strait of Hormuz is only 34 km, or 21 miles, wide at its narrowest point between Iran and Oman. Yet it serves as a critical gateway from the Gulf to the Indian Ocean.
That route carries not only oil and liquefied natural gas, but also other essential goods such as fertilisers. As a result, even limited disruption can affect global supply chains and energy prices.
A Western security source said the plan to allow ships through Omani waters had already been under discussion, though it was not clear whether Washington had responded.
The Iranian source said the shipping proposal depends on whether Washington is willing to meet Tehran’s broader demands. That condition places the Strait of Hormuz at the center of a wider diplomatic standoff.
The White House did not immediately comment. Iran’s Foreign Ministry was also not immediately available for comment.
Meanwhile, member states at the International Maritime Organization meeting in London pushed back against the idea of Iran imposing a toll on ships using the strait. The IMO warned that such a move would set a dangerous precedent.
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A two-way traffic separation scheme adopted in 1968 with regional agreement created the current routing system through Iranian and Omani waters. If Iran follows through on this latest proposal, it would mark the first visible step toward restoring that long-standing arrangement.
