U.S.-Iran talks in Oman are advancing on navigation rules for the Strait of Hormuz, Gulf News reported on July 26, 2026. The diplomatic effort has led to a pause in airstrikes after 13 consecutive nights of bombing, with no new strikes reported overnight Saturday.
The talks follow a sharp decline in daily ship transits through the strait after late-June attacks. The drop in traffic created the current situation where transit calls remain significantly below normal levels, as tracked by the IMF Portwatch portal, the official source for daily ship arrival counts in the waterway.
The IMF Portwatch data tracks daily transit calls for container, dry bulk, roll-on/roll-off, general cargo, and tanker ships. The 7-day moving average of arrivals is the key metric for assessing whether traffic has returned to normal levels.
Talks are ongoing in Oman and Doha as shipping companies reassess security risks in the region. The exact terms under discussion, including potential transit fees or security guarantees, have not been publicly detailed. The latest reports indicate negotiations are progressing but no formal agreement has been announced.
The next milestone is the publication of daily IMF Portwatch data over the coming weeks, which will show whether the 7-day moving average rises toward the normal threshold. A formal announcement from the U.S.-Iran talks could also act as a catalyst for shipping companies to resume normal operations.
