Iran has proposed allowing ships safe passage via the Omani side of Hormuz as part of US talks, signalling potential easing of disruptions, though flows remain far below pre-war levels.

Summary:

• Iran has reportedly proposed allowing ships to transit the Omani side of Hormuz without attack.
• The proposal is conditional on progress in negotiations with the US.
• Shipping remains heavily disrupted, with traffic far below pre-war levels.
• Hundreds of vessels and ~20,000 seafarers remain stranded
• The Strait of Hormuz, previously fully open pre-war, remains a key unresolved issue.
• Would mark a partial de-escalation from earlier hardline proposals (fees, control claims).

Iran is considering a partial de-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz, offering to allow ships to transit safely through the Omani side of the critical waterway as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Reuters carreid the report ICYMI.

The proposal would permit vessels to pass through waters adjacent to Oman without risk of attack, potentially restoring limited shipping flows through one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. However, the offer is conditional on progress in broader negotiations aimed at preventing a renewed escalation in the US-Iran conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, has been severely disrupted since the outbreak of war on February 28. Prior to the conflict, the strait functioned as a stable and open artery for global trade. Since then, traffic has collapsed to a fraction of normal levels, with hundreds of vessels stranded and an estimated 20,000 seafarers unable to exit the Gulf.

While a ceasefire has been in place since April 8, shipping conditions have yet to normalise. The situation has been further complicated by a US blockade targeting vessels linked to Iranian ports, adding another layer of uncertainty for operators navigating the region.

Iran’s proposal marks a notable shift from more aggressive measures floated in recent weeks, including the possibility of imposing transit fees or asserting broader control over the strait—moves that drew strong opposition from the international community and maritime authorities.

However, key uncertainties remain. It is unclear whether Iran would clear any mines in the proposed transit corridor or whether all vessels, including those linked to Israel, would be granted safe passage. The proposal’s success ultimately depends on whether Washington is willing to meet Tehran’s conditions in ongoing negotiations.

If implemented, the plan would represent the first concrete step toward restoring shipping flows, though likely only partially. Even then, the return to pre-war norms appears distant, with security risks and geopolitical tensions continuing to weigh on one of the world’s most vital trade routes.