Hormuz Deal Hinges on US Naval Blockade

Tehran and Oman have agreed on a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz, but Iran's foreign ministry says any reopening will depend on the US fulfilling its commitment to end its naval blockade.

The agreement comes as Iran has seized de facto control of the strait since the US launched its war against the country in February. The waterway is a strategic route for global energy trade, carrying around a fifth of the world's oil and LNG exports.

Iran wants to jointly manage the strait with Oman, but any deal would be opposed by the US, which has imposed an effective blockade on the waterway. Iran's foreign ministry said that while talks with Oman are moving forward, it will not mean the strait is safe for all passing vessels.

Tehran sees the US as a major obstacle to reopening the strait and wants it to end its naval blockade and aggressive actions against Iran. The development has piled economic and political pressure on Washington, which has repeatedly surged oil prices since the dispute erupted.