Tehran seeks sanctions relief in exchange for toll-free passage, but Washington rejects Iranian control over critical shipping routes.
Iran and Oman are close to an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran controlling inbound traffic and Oman overseeing outbound shipping. The deal includes toll-free passage in exchange for sanctions relief, a condition opposed by the U.S. government.
The shipping industry has warned that proposed transit fees and existing U.S. sanctions could render the arrangement unworkable. Previous attempts to secure the strait have faced similar geopolitical hurdles, particularly over Iranian influence in the region.
Washington’s opposition centers on concerns that granting Iran control over shipping lanes could disrupt global oil flows. The deal, if finalized, would address only Hormuz transit, leaving broader sanctions issues unresolved.