Iran proposes safe exit route for ships via Oman side of Strait of Hormuz

Iran has proposed allowing commercial vessels to transit freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack, according to a source familiar with the negotiations, in what could mark a significant step towards easing one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints.

The proposal, raised during ongoing talks with the United States, is conditional on a broader agreement aimed at preventing renewed conflict following weeks of war involving Iran, the US and Israel, Caliber.Az reports via British media.

The fighting, which began on February 28, has triggered the most severe disruption to global oil and gas flows on record, with roughly 20% of the world’s energy supplies typically passing through the narrow strait.

Shipping activity remains sharply reduced despite a two-week ceasefire that took effect on April 8. Hundreds of vessels — including oil tankers — and an estimated 20,000 seafarers are still stranded in the Gulf, underscoring the scale of the crisis.

According to the source, Tehran is considering permitting ships to pass through waters controlled by Oman without interference. However, key details remain unclear, including whether Iran would remove any naval mines in the area or allow vessels linked to Israel to transit freely.

The proposal appears to signal a potential shift in Iran’s approach. In recent weeks, officials had floated more aggressive measures, including imposing transit fees on vessels or asserting greater sovereignty over the strait — moves that drew strong opposition from the global shipping industry and international regulators.

The International Maritime Organisation has warned that any unilateral toll system would set a “dangerous precedent” for international waterways.

A Western security source said discussions around a safe transit corridor in Omani waters had been ongoing, though it remains unclear whether Washington has formally responded. The White House has not commented publicly on the proposal.

Control of the strait remains central to negotiations. Earlier this week, Donald Trump said the conflict was close to ending, but the status of maritime access continues to be a sticking point. The US has also introduced a blockade on oil shipments from Iranian ports, further complicating efforts to restore normal shipping operations.

The Strait of Hormuz — just 34 kilometres wide at its narrowest point — serves as the primary gateway for energy exports from the Gulf to global markets. Any sustained disruption has immediate consequences for oil prices, supply chains and broader economic stability.

If implemented, Iran’s proposal could represent the first concrete move towards restoring long-standing navigation arrangements in the strait, which for decades have allowed vessels to pass through designated corridors in both Iranian and Omani waters despite periodic tensions.

For now, however, uncertainty persists, and global markets remain on edge as negotiations continue.

By Aghakazim Guliyev