Iran and Oman are reportedly negotiating an agreement to reopen commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz that could formally acknowledge Tehran’s role in managing one of the world’s most critical maritime chokepoints, even as the United States disputes key elements of the proposed arrangement and insists Iran will not control international navigation.The emerging negotiations have exposed a widening gap between Washington and Tehran over the future of the strategic waterway, through which around one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments passed before the conflict disrupted maritime traffic. While US President Donald Trump has portrayed the talks as part of a broader diplomatic effort to end months of fighting, Iranian officials insist their discussions are with Oman, not the United States, and are focused solely on restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.The New York Times reported that Iranian and Omani officials are closing in on a framework that would create separate shipping lanes, with inbound vessels to the Persian Gulf travelling through a channel controlled by Iran and outbound traffic using a route closer to Oman. Iranian officials quoted by NYT said the proposal includes a “service fee”, rather than a toll, to cover environmental protection, security and staffing, with revenue shared equally between Iran and Oman.However, a US official familiar with the negotiations rejected that account, telling the publication that any temporary navigation arrangements would not require Iranian permission or involve tolls or fees. According to the official, any revised shipping routes would be temporary and would preserve freedom of navigation.The reported differences reflect broader disagreements over what the negotiations are intended to achieve.Trump says talks are underway; Iran disagreesSpeaking at the White House on Monday, Trump said the United States and Iran had resumed discussions and suggested an agreement could be reached quickly.“They’re going to go quickly one way or the other. It’s not very complex,” Trump said, adding that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen “literally by tomorrow”. He also described reopening the strait as the “first phase”, with negotiations over Iran’s nuclear programme expected to follow.Trump on Iran:Talks will go quickly, one way or the other. It’s not very complex.We are talking about opening the strait tomorrow, completely open.Then we will talk about the nuclear capacity of Iran. pic.twitter.com/jHJTsdxK3S— Clash Report (@clashreport) August 3, 2026 Story continues below this adBut Iran has publicly disputed Trump’s characterisation. News agency Associated Press reported that Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said Tehran is not negotiating directly with Washington. Instead, he said Iran’s discussions are only with Oman and are limited to establishing a temporary route for safe navigation through the strait.Trump responded on his Truth Social platform by accusing Iranian leaders of sending contradictory signals.“Iranian Leadership is unbelievably duplicitous,” he wrote, insisting discussions with Tehran were taking place despite Iran’s public denials..On the table Why the Strait matters From war to talks Who wants what India impactSources: Al Jazeera · Reuters · The New York Times · The National · Middle East Monitor · Jerusalem Post · i24News · statements by Iranian and US officials. A developing, contested negotiation; terms are proposed and reconfirm against the latest wire before publish.Express InfoGenIE.What Iran wantsAccording to the NYT, Iranian officials say the strait would remain closed until two conditions are met: the United States lifts its naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Persian Gulf, and both countries return to the framework outlined in the Islamabad memorandum of understanding.Story continues below this adIran also reportedly sees the proposed arrangement as a way to formalise strategic leverage over the waterway.Ali Vaez, Iran project director at the International Crisis Group, told the NYT that Tehran considers continued influence over the Strait of Hormuz one of its few strategic gains from the war.“Whatever solution leaves Iran in control of the strait will be a very tough sell for Trump but there is also no military solution to remove Iran’s control of the strait,” Vaez said. “Trump’s options are between an unwinnable war and an unpalatable peace.”US concerns over freedom of navigationThe reported arrangement appears to conflict with repeated statements by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has argued that no country should be allowed to exercise control over an international shipping lane.Story continues below this adRubio has warned that allowing any nation to control access to the Strait of Hormuz or charge vessels for passage would create a dangerous precedent for global trade and undermine the principle of freedom of navigation.Fresh security concernsEven as diplomatic discussions continue, shipping risks remain high.The AP report said the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said a cargo ship reported being struck by an unidentified projectile overnight while sailing northeast of Oman’s Musandam Peninsula near the Strait of Hormuz. The agency did not immediately identify the vessel or report casualties.The incident underscores continuing security risks in the waterway despite renewed diplomatic efforts.Story continues below this adWhy it matters to IndiaThe Strait of Hormuz is among the world’s most important energy chokepoints, handling roughly a fifth of global oil and gas shipments before the conflict disrupted traffic. India imports a significant share of its crude oil from Gulf producers, making any long-term arrangement governing navigation through the strait strategically important for its energy security, shipping costs and trade.(With inputs from agencies)