Iran and Oman Float Temporary Hormuz Corridor, but Tehran Demands End of U.S. Blockade and War

Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary route through the Strait of Hormuz and a plan to clear sea mines, according to a joint statement Tuesday — but Tehran made clear that any reopening of the vital waterway would require the U.S. to lift its naval blockade and end the war against Iran.

The two countries, which sit on opposite sides of the strait, have held regular talks on the waterway’s future under a memorandum of understanding signed in June. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said he was “hopeful” that a temporary corridor would be announced soon, adding that a permanent solution would follow “in due course.”

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi struck a firmer note Wednesday, telling state broadcaster IRIB that the blockade is “not the only quid pro quo” for reopening the strait.

“Another issue is the termination of the war,” he said. “The termination of the war in a permanent and sustainable manner on all fronts, including Lebanon.”

Washington has repeatedly disputed the premise that the strait remains mined. President Trump said Tuesday that all mines have already been removed or destroyed, and announced a “zero tolerance” policy under which any Iranian ship or boat placing new mines would be “immediately and systematically destroyed.” He said the U.S. Space Force is monitoring the waterway.

The talks come six months into a conflict that has settled into a military stalemate, with peace negotiations stalled and much of the traffic through the strait suspended. The waterway is a critical artery for global energy trade, and the U.S. has enforced a naval blockade that Iran says has included attacks on its commercial vessels and violated its sovereignty.

In Tehran, the latest round of U.S. sanctions has already begun to bite. Long lines formed at gas stations Tuesday after Washington announced plans for the “economic asphyxiation” of Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the objective is to “sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime.”

Iranian leaders have shrugged off the pressure, noting that sanctions have been in place for decades. President Masoud Pezeshkian said at a Central Bank meeting Tuesday that Iran remains ready to resolve differences through interaction and negotiation, but will stand firmly against economic pressure. Washington’s attempts to pressure Tehran, he said, would fail.

“Our foundation is understanding and resolving issues through interaction and negotiation, but at the same time, we will stand firmly against economic pressures, just as we have done so far,” he said.

Some residents of the capital are more worried. Realtor Mehdi Yazdian, 55, urged authorities to control prices, saying sanctions were hitting ordinary Iranians. “People are being hurt, both those who are financially well-off and those who are financially weak,” he told Agence France-Presse. “Yes, these sanctions are having an effect … but naturally, our people are resilient. These sanctions have been in place for 47 years.” English teacher Kia Farahani, 45, said the war will likely be economic and cause a lot of pressure, “and now maybe there will be protests again.” Iran’s national police chief accused Washington on Monday of seeking to create unrest in the country through the additional economic pressure.

Iran also took its case to the United Nations on Tuesday, calling on the Security Council to condemn U.S. sanctions and other “unilateral coercive measures.” Ambassador Gholamhossein Darzi said the council had failed to uphold its responsibilities, arguing that the root cause of instability in the strait is the “war of aggression” by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has welcomed Trump’s pressure campaign, rejected the possibility of diplomacy. At an event Tuesday, he said he told President Trump that no agreement can be reached with Iran’s leadership, describing them as “savages.”

The Israeli leader’s comments came as Iran accused Israel of obstructing an earlier ceasefire initiative by continuing operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah. Israel said it was responding to truce violations by the Iran-backed group.

China has also pushed back against U.S. sanctions, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian saying Beijing firmly opposes “illegal unilateral sanctions” and will take all necessary measures to protect its own rights. Beijing’s cooperation with Iran, he said, has always been conducted within the framework of international law and should not be disrupted. Asked whether Chinese banks financing Iranian oil imports would be targeted, Bessent said “no one is above the reach of U.S. sanctions.”

The Financial Times reported last week, citing anonymous Iranian sources, that Iran would fire missiles at U.S. targets in Europe if Trump escalates military pressure over the strait.

CBS News and Agence France-Presse contributed to this report.