Iran, Oman are back talking about the Strait of Hormuz: Here's what we know

Speculation has returned over whether Iran and Oman may soon announce a temporary solution to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz following a new round of negotiations in Muscat on Tuesday.

The two countries signed off the meeting with a statement that indicated progress but fell short of an agreement. Iranian officials have since painted a different picture, claiming that Oman has agreed to an arrangement that would give Tehran broad oversight of the strait.

Here's what we know about the talks.

What has been agreed?

That depends on who you ask.

Iran and Oman put out a joint statement following Tuesday's meeting that spoke of a "proposed framework" rather than a conclusive agreement.

On the table is a "joint temporary navigational corridor" and a "joint project to clear the strait of mines", the statement read.

But it stopped short of offering any details about the route, including its coordinates, when it would open, or how long it would remain active.

Efforts will continue to try and agree a permanent route and a way of administering traffic, it said.

But Iranian officials have subsequently claimed that a temporary corridor had been agreed.

In comments to state TV, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Oman had signed off on temporary entry and exit routes that would pass through Iran's territorial waters.

The Revolutionary Guards went further, claiming that Oman had agreed to Iran's controversial proposal to generate revenues from the strait.

"During negotiations with Oman, some agreements were made regarding each country's share of the waters of the Strait and Iran's and Oman's shares of its revenues," said IRGC spokesperson Hossein Mohebi.

Oman has not commented on Iran's claims.

Why are the revenues so controversial?

Iran's insistence on charging fees for using the strait is opposed by dozens of countries around the world.

That includes the US, which in July resumed its bombing campaign in a bid to force Iran to give up control of the waterway.

The subject is also highly sensitive among Gulf countries which remain heavily reliant on the strait to export oil, gas and other commodities. The UAE and Bahrain have been particularly vocal supporters of a maritime taskforce proposed by the UK and France that would keep the strait open after the war.

Oman has publicly opposed the introduction of fees and says it is committed to ensuring freedom of navigation.

What has Oman said?

Writing on X after Tuesday's talks, Oman's foreign minister Badr Albusaidi said he hoped that the two countries would soon announce the temporary route and "practical arrangements to restore safe navigation".

"Future management of the strait and a permanent solution will follow in due course," he added.

Will the strait be re-opened?

A temporary deal would be a big step towards resolving the strait's disputed status but would not immediately lead to its re-opening.

Iranian officials insist it will remain closed until the US meets its commitments under the June memorandum of understanding, including lifting its naval blockade and permanently ending the war.

"Before any action is taken to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, the United States must fully implement all the commitments it has breached," Gharibabadi said on Tuesday.

Are we any closer to a peace deal?

Although the 60-day memorandum officially expired earlier this month, regional mediators including Pakistan and Qatar are still trying to keep it alive. Both countries are pushing Iran and the US to return to the negotiating table and hammer out a peace deal to re-open the strait and end the war.

Pakistan sounded a note of optimism after its army chief Asim Munir held talks in Tehran earlier this week. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani will travel to Iran's capital on Thursday.

Publicly, neither country has expressed willingness to return to talks. Iran's hardline security and military chiefs have threatened to return to war in the coming weeks if the US does not meet its demands while Trump has doubled down on his "maximum pressure" strategy with a new round of sanctions aimed at strangling Iran's economy.