Iran-Oman talks on new Strait of Hormuz routes postponed, no new date set

A planned meeting between Iran, Oman and other Gulf countries on shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed after an Iranian cargo vessel was attacked near Qeshm Island, with no new date announced yet.

The talks were due to take place in Muscat on Sunday and were expected to focus on regional tensions and plans for safer maritime movement through the strategically important waterway.

Talks postponed after cargo ship attack

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the meeting was put off “in the interests of consensus”. “We remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports stability and lasting cooperation in our region,” he wrote on X.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said Tehran and Muscat jointly agreed to postpone the meeting after some regional countries requested a delay. Iran will work with Oman to determine a new date, the official said, according to AFP.

Iran and Oman had recently reached an understanding on proposed shipping routes through Hormuz, according to semi-official Tasnim news agency. Under the plan, vessels entering the Persian Gulf would travel entirely through Iranian waters, while the route for outbound ships would partly pass through Iranian waters.

The details were expected to be shared with other Gulf countries during Sunday's meeting.

Tehran sets conditions for reopening Strait

The proposed routes do not amount to a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has said the waterway will only reopen if several conditions are met.

Iranian Foreign minister Abbas Araghchi has also said Tehran would not reopen the strait until the US accepts its demands, regardless of the agreement with Oman.

Meanwhile, an Iranian commercial vessel was struck near Hormuz early Sunday, killing one person and injuring four crew members. Iran's state media blamed a “terrorist enemy” for the attack.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency said a vessel had been hit by a projectile while sailing through the strait and that a fire broke out, forcing the crew to evacuate. It was not immediately established whether the incident was the same attack reported by Iranian authorities.

Gulf countries divided over proposal

Iraq had publicly confirmed plans to attend the postponed meeting, while Bahrain said it would stay away because it does not have diplomatic relations with Tehran.

Saudi Arabia has also pushed for changes to the Iran-Oman arrangement, with a Gulf official saying Riyadh was concerned about its longer-term impact on Hormuz and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

The uncertainty comes as commercial traffic through the waterway remains low, disrupting one of the world's key oil transit routes.