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Iran and Oman are jointly developing a new central corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a report by Iranian state broadcaster Press TV, as reported by TASS. The proposed corridor is described as serving the interests of both countries, with the northern and southern routes to be closed once it becomes operational.

The development comes as Iranian officials push back on statements by US President Donald Trump regarding negotiations between Washington and Tehran, insisting that Iran is only in talks with Oman on navigation safety in the strategic waterway.

Coverage Comparison

TASS, the Russian state news agency, has reported on this story from multiple angles, drawing on Iranian state media and official statements. Its reporting highlights the distinction between the Iran-Oman track and the US-Iran track, as well as the conditions Tehran says must be met before the Strait of Hormuz can fully reopen.

One TASS report cites Press TV, which quoted a source saying that Iran and Oman are working on a new "central corridor" through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the source, once this corridor is operational, the existing northern and southern routes would cease to function. The source also claimed that US President Donald Trump was attempting to interfere in the Iran-Oman negotiations to claim credit for a future agreement, but that his efforts were only obstructing and delaying an accord.

Another TASS report focuses on remarks by Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei, who dismissed Trump's claims about direct US-Iran negotiations. Baghaei told reporters on August 3 that Iran is not engaged in any talks with the United States and that negotiations are underway only with Oman on a route ensuring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

Additional TASS reporting underscores that an agreement between Iran and Oman would not by itself reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Baghaei said that reaching an agreement on a safe shipping route is "a necessary but not sufficient condition" for reopening the strait, which he said had been closed due to US and Israeli aggression against Iran. A separate report citing Iran's state broadcaster similarly stated that the waterway would remain closed if the United States continued to violate agreements or pursue its aggression against Iran.

Key Claims

  • Iran and Oman are jointly developing a new central corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a source cited by Iranian state media and reported by TASS.
  • The proposed central corridor is said to serve the interests of both countries, and the northern and southern routes would be closed once it becomes operational.
  • Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has stated that Iran is negotiating only with Oman on safe navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and that claims of direct US-Iran negotiations are false.
  • Baghaei also said that an agreement with Oman is necessary but not sufficient for reopening the strait, which he attributes to US and Israeli aggression against Iran.
  • Reports indicate that the decision to reopen the Strait of Hormuz depends on US actions, with the waterway remaining closed if the US continues its aggression.
  • US President Donald Trump has said he agreed to cancel a planned major strike on Iran to facilitate a deal, and that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries asked Washington to refrain from attacking, as reported by TASS.

Context

Trump announced on Truth Social that the US and Iran would begin negotiations on a peace agreement on August 3, and claimed to have called off a planned major strike against Iran. He stated that the agreement should include the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the elimination of Iran's nuclear threat. These claims have been disputed by Iranian officials, who say negotiations are limited to the Iran-Oman track.