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Oman

August 6, 2026

Muscat 9:29 pm

37°C

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Explainer

Iran-Oman deal spurs Hormuz hopes as Red Sea threats evolve

Iran has signaled that an agreement was reached with Oman establishing a Hormuz shipping route even as Houthi attacks in the Red Sea expand.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (2nd L), Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2nd R) and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi (R) walk inside a building in Muscat, Oman, on June 22, 2026.

Explainer

The emerging Iran-Oman Hormuz deal: What's at stake?

A framework that gives Tehran a formal role in determining how ships move through the waterway could strengthen its hand in future negotiations with the US.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi (L), Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf (2nd L) and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi (R) attend a meeting in Muscat, Oman, on June 22, 2026.

Explainer

Iran-Oman Hormuz route talks near 'completion': What to know

The new framework would give Iran a greater role in managing one of the world’s most strategically important maritime choke points.

Latest News

Analysis

As US ties fray, top Oman official visits China: What to know

China Oman mtg

Joyce Karam

By Joyce Karam , Rosaleen Carroll

Oil climbs after US strikes Iran, Trump vows to control Strait of Hormuz

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

A woman arrives to get vaccinated at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Center in the capital, Muscat, on June 23, 2021.

Oman lifts ban on vaccinated travelers from 18 countries

Oman is loosening restrictions on travel amid a decline in COVID-19 cases across the Gulf country.

MAZEN MAHDI/AFP via Getty Images

Omani FM voices hope Israel's new leaders will advance Palestinian state

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi told his Israeli counterpart that the Gulf country is hopeful the new government in Israel can take "concrete steps" to establish a sovereign Palestinian state.

Port Sultan Qaboos, Muscat

The reform challenge: What Oman (and others) might learn from Egypt

Parallels in experience may offer guideposts for managing change.

Activists camp outside the Oman Gulf state's consultative council as they continue a series of anti-corruption protests on March 3, 2011, in Muscat.

Protests in Oman over job losses, economy

Sultan Haitham has attempted to introduce economic and political reforms in the past year.

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Oman bans popular chat app Clubhouse

The audio-only phone application is popular throughout the Middle East but could face further restrictions.

A healthcare worker prepares to administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in the Omani capital Muscat on December 27, 2020. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

Oman closes land border, parks and beaches as vaccine rollout continues

The sultanate's anti-virus committee announced several new restrictions on travel and gatherings on Wednesday.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq meets with US Secretary of State at al-Alam palace in the capital Muscat on February 21, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Oman moves ahead with overdue reforms

Oman's leadership pushes ahead with reforms, cornered by the COVID-19 crisis and long-standing weaknesses in the local economy. Activists call for a constitutional monarchy.

Oman praises Israel-Morocco relations

Oman has yet to recognize Israel officially, despite speculation that the sultanate would do so.

Oman to issue tourist visas after 8-month suspension

Travelers whose trips are organized through hotels or tourism companies can apply for visas.

A passenger, wearing a protective face mask due to the Covid-19 pandemic, checks-in at the testing counter at the Muscat international airport in the Omani capital on October 1, 2020. (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB / AFP) (Photo by MOHAMMED MAHJOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

Oman opens land borders for citizens, residents

The Gulf state's land borders had remained shut to international travel since March.

Mosques in Oman to reopen for socially distant daily prayers

Amid a declining COVID-19 infection rate, mosques will reopen to a limited number of worshippers beginning Sunday; Friday prayers still will not be allowed.

Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq meets with US Secretary of State at al-Alam palace in the capital Muscat on February 21, 2020. (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP) (Photo by ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images)

Oman’s reform plans worry activists

Large budget deficits have forced Oman to accelerate the pace of economic reforms, which some activists fear are not addressing restrictions on political expression.