CNN: Omani Proposal for Navigation in Hormuz Through Two Separate Corridors

SadaNews - CNN reported on Saturday, citing a knowledgeable source, that Oman has prepared a proposal for managing shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz through two separate corridors.

The network added that, under the agreement, which has not yet been finalized, both corridors will remain open. The southern corridor, which passes through Omani territorial waters, will allow for free navigation as it was before the war.

Ships crossing the northern corridor, which goes through Iranian territorial waters, will require prior approval from Iran, noting that no fees will be imposed under the agreement.

The Iranian Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, met with his Omani counterpart, Badr al-Busaidi, in Muscat on Saturday, where the two officials discussed mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of ships in the waterway.

Earlier, U.S. officials revealed that the United States and Iran would resume negotiations on Saturday in Oman, indicating that Washington has requested Tehran to issue a statement announcing that all routes in the Strait of Hormuz are open and that it will not return to targeting ships.

ABC News quoted U.S. officials saying: "The United States expects that the discussions on Saturday with Iran will lead to the Strait of Hormuz being open in the same way it was before the war."

The officials added: "If Iran does not announce on Saturday that the Strait of Hormuz is open as it was before the war, it will not be a happy day for them."

U.S. and Iranian officials held two rounds of talks after signing a memorandum of understanding in June, the first being direct in Switzerland and the second indirect in Qatar, but no progress was made during those rounds.

In an attempt to revive the negotiations, a Qatari delegation arrived in Iran on Friday, according to Tasnim news agency, as Doha is mediating between Tehran and Washington.

Pakistan, which is also playing a similar role, has urged Tehran to preserve the "hard-earned peace gains" with Washington, as noted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in a post on X platform.