Iran and Oman hold deputy minister-level talks to discuss "various plans to ensure the smooth passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz"

Iran and Oman have been engaged in diplomatic mediation over the issue of passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with early signs of diplomatic contact emerging amid a blockade crisis affecting a key chokepoint for global energy markets.

According to a disclosure by Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, April 5, the two sides held deputy minister-level talks to discuss a range of possible measures to ensure the smooth passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, and expert teams also attended the meeting and submitted specific recommendations.

Meanwhile, data tracked by Lloyd’s List shows that on Sunday, three Oman-flagged ships sailed outside the “authorized corridor” designated by Iran, passing through the strait close to Oman’s coastline—an unusually rare development since the outbreak of the crisis.

The Strait of Hormuz is in effect under blockade at present, and the disruption in the strait has triggered sharp volatility in energy markets, forcing oil and gas importers to seek alternative supply routes. Over the weekend, U.S. President Trump used tough language on social media, warning that if the strait is not reopened before Monday, the United States will take drastic action.

Oman serves as intermediary as both sides launch deputy minister-level consultations

On Sunday, Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs posted on the X platform that the two sides’ talks were held on Saturday at the level of “deputy minister (acting as undersecretary) of the two countries’ foreign ministries,” with professionals from both sides in attendance.

Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting focused on “various possible options to ensure the smooth passage of the Strait of Hormuz amid the current situation in the region.” The two sides’ experts put forward several ideas and recommendations, and the two sides will further study them afterwards.

Before this round of talks, an Iranian official had previously said last Thursday that Iran is drafting a draft agreement to regulate maritime traffic through the strait with Oman, indicating that the two countries have made some progress in engaging on this issue.

Some ships granted passage, while more than 3,000 others remain stranded

The Hormuz Strait crisis was triggered by the U.S.-and-Israel military actions against Iran on February 28. Since then, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has imposed strict control over the strait as a form of retaliation.

So far, some ships associated with Pakistan, France, and Turkey have been granted passage, but about 3,000 other vessels remain detained and unable to pass through this crucial node for global energy transport.

According to Lloyd’s List tracking data, on Sunday, three Oman-flagged ships were sailing through the strait, including two large supertankers and an LNG (liquefied natural gas) carrier. Their routes were outside the “authorized corridor” near Larak Island designated by Iran and were unusually close to Oman’s coastline.

Diplomatic mediation moves on multiple fronts, but room for negotiations remains limited

Beyond Oman’s mediation, regional diplomatic efforts are also being advanced simultaneously across multiple leads.

According to a statement published by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday, Egypt’s foreign minister Badr Abdelatty held separate phone calls with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and with regional counterparts, including Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi, to exchange views on regional de-escalation plans.

However, analysts remain cautious about prospects for a diplomatic solution. Amin Saikal, a retired professor at Australian National University, told Al Jazeera that if the conflict further expands, “it will be a nightmare for the entire region,” and a solution must be reached through some kind of negotiation.

Saikal also noted that “the windows for a diplomatic solution are extremely narrow right now. Unless President Trump determines that this conflict has caused enough trouble domestically and abroad, and it is truly time to seek compromise with Iran.”

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