Iran says new Strait of Hormuz corridor agreement to be signed in coming days - Al Arabiya English

**Iran Announces Upcoming Signing of Strait of Hormuz Corridor Agreement**

Tehran has indicated that a new “corridor” agreement for the Strait of Hormuz will be signed within the next few days, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry and reported by Al Arabiya English. The deal is intended to establish a clearly defined maritime route that will guarantee the safe transit of commercial vessels while simultaneously creating a limited “exclusion zone” in which military operations are prohibited. Iranian officials say the arrangement will be coordinated with regional partners and relevant international bodies to prevent misunderstandings and to preserve the flow of oil and gas shipments that pass through the narrow waterway.

The announcement comes amid a sharp escalation of maritime tensions in the Persian Gulf. Over the past weeks, Iran has blamed the United States and its allies for a series of attacks on tankers navigating the Hormuz corridor, accusations echoed by Bloomberg and Al Jazeera. In response, Iran has threatened to enforce a restricted zone around the strait, a move it describes as a defensive measure to safeguard its sovereign waters and to deter what it calls “unlawful” naval activities. The proposed corridor is therefore framed as a compromise that balances Iran’s security concerns with the need to keep the world’s most critical oil transit point open.

International reaction has been cautious. The United States has not confirmed any direct involvement in the recent incidents but has warned that any unilateral restriction could jeopardize global energy markets and contravene established maritime law. Shipping companies, meanwhile, are closely monitoring the development, fearing that a new exclusion zone could force rerouting, increase insurance premiums, and delay deliveries. Analysts suggest that the forthcoming agreement, if it materialises, could set a precedent for regional conflict‑de‑escalation mechanisms, but its effectiveness will hinge on transparent implementation and cooperation from all stakeholders.