Oman-mediated talks between the United States and Iran are advancing toward implementing a framework agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, according to Gulf News. The talks follow a pause in airstrikes after nearly two weeks of military action, with no new bombings reported overnight Saturday following 13 consecutive nights of strikes.
Despite the diplomatic progress, shipping traffic in the strait remains at a fraction of pre-crisis levels. The IMF Portwatch 7-day moving average of transit calls for the Strait of Hormuz, as of July 26, 2026, is below the threshold of 60 that would indicate a return to normal traffic, according to the official IMF Portwatch dashboard.
Security risks and de-mining requirements are preventing hundreds of vessels from transiting the waterway, even after the US-Iran framework agreement was reached. The gap between the political accord and on-the-ground conditions explains why actual transit numbers have not recovered.
The US-Iran framework agreement, reported by Gulf News in late July, outlined a pathway for reopening the strait, but detailed implementation steps—including mine clearance and security guarantees for commercial shipping—still need to be finalized in the Oman talks.
The next key milestone is whether the Oman-mediated talks produce concrete security arrangements and de-mining operations fast enough to allow IMF Portwatch to record a 7-day moving average of transit calls at or above 60 before July 31, 2026.
