How viable is the potential Iran-Oman Hormuz shipping deal?

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, said this week that an agreement with Oman , which lies on the other side of the Strait of Hormuz , is in the "final stage" of review and drafting — provided that no external party interfered in the process.

The two Persian Gulf states have agreed on the geographical coordinates of a navigation route through the strait , Baghaei was quoted as saying by state news agency IRNA on Wednesday evening.

Baghaei told journalists that even if an understanding was reached, it would not mean that the strait had become safe for all passing vessels.

"The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States , particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests," he said.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi also said an agreement on new shipping arrangements was nearing completion, IRNA reported.

Gharibabadi stressed that the proposed arrangement would not amount to a full reopening of the strait, but would instead establish a new model for maritime traffic.

According to IRNA, Gharibabadi said the route would be temporary and could remain open for between two and four months.

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