ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq – Iran said Monday that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Oman to establish a “temporary safe passage” through the Strait of Hormuz is expected to be finalized and registered with the United Nations’ International Maritime Organization “in the coming days.”

Iran and Oman - both littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz - have reportedly made progress in bilateral talks seeking to establish a joint management system for the strategic waterway that will likely spell an end to free transit.

“It is expected that a joint memorandum of understanding between Iran and Oman, aimed at creating a temporary safe passage for shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, will be officially registered with the International Maritime Organization in the coming days,” foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said during a press conference.

“Although these talks have faced challenges at times due to obstruction and interference from certain third parties, consultations between the two countries have now reached the final stages,” Baghaei added.

In mid-August, Iran said it has reached an agreement with Oman on “a shipping traffic map” in the Strait of Hormuz, adding that talks have progressed positively “despite US obstruction.”

Tehran was able to successfully restrict the strait following the outbreak of a US-Israeli military campaign against Iran in February, followed by a counter-blockade by US forces on Iranian ports. Despite reaching an MoU in June, the waterway remains blocked, disrupting one of the world’s most strategic energy routes.

Washington and Tehran reached the deal on June 17 to end hostilities and resume negotiations for 60 days. A key Washington condition in the MoU was free navigation in the strait.

The deal fell apart only 21 days later after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said Iranian forces had attacked a Cyprus-flagged ship in the Strait of Hormuz.