Sea sold separately. Conditions apply.

Grand Opening

August 9, 2026 · Ibid.

Editorial cartoon: an Iranian foreign minister leans from a ceremonial launch with oversized gold scissors to cut a red ribbon strung over white shipping-lane markings painted onto the water, an Omani official holding the far end; forty metres ahead the channel is sealed by a chained boom with a barrel-sized padlock and a sign reading CLOSED, a patrol boat idling behind it.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said talks with Oman on new maritime routes through the Strait of Hormuz are in their final stages, but reopening the strait depends on further conditions conveyed through intermediaries. Iran's Supreme National Security Council separately demanded the U.S. end its naval blockade, withdraw forces, lift sanctions and pay compensation. U.S. Central Command says the blockade has redirected 53 commercial vessels, disabled two and boarded two.