Pakistani and Qatari mediators have intensified diplomatic contacts with the United States, Iran, and several regional partners to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. These indirect contacts are in the final stage of finalizing a single-page document focused exclusively on the strait.
A major development regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding is expected this week.
The proposed document stipulates that Iran will reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the United States will lift its blockade of Iranian ports. The document does not mention Iran's nuclear program.
Disputes over maritime tolls
The United States and Iran remain at loggerheads regarding tolls for the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is insisting that the strait remain completely toll-free for commercial shipping, consistent with the period before the start of the war.
Tehran is requesting a service fee to cover environmental and security costs. Iranian officials told The New York Times that no tolls would be charged, but a service fee would be included to cover staffing costs, security for cargo ships and tankers, and environmental effects. These officials also stated that revenue from the service fee would be shared equally between Iran and Oman. Tehran is currently opposing the use of different shipping corridors in the strait.
There's been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet.
Diplomatic efforts and potential shipping corridors
Oman is actively involved in diplomatic efforts to end hostilities and reopen the strait. The New York Times reported that Iran and Oman are close to reaching an agreement to restore commercial maritime traffic. Under a potential deal reported by that publication, vessels entering the Gulf would travel through a shipping channel near the Iranian coast and controlled by Iran, while outbound traffic would use a channel near Oman.
Following the implementation of the document, mediators will finalize the date and venue for the resumption of direct talks between the United States and Iran in consultation with Washington and Tehran.
I hope an agreement will come very shortly.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted that Washington and Tehran have yet to finalize talks on passage through international waterways. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States and Iran could reach a deal by Tuesday or Wednesday to reopen the strait and restore freedom of movement for commercial ships.
