Iran and Oman have moved closer to an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping, with both sides agreeing on the geographical coordinates of a proposed safe navigation corridor, even as conflicting messages over possible US-Iran negotiations continue to cloud prospects for a broader diplomatic breakthrough.
Diplomatic efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran gathered momentum on Tuesday, with Qatar saying negotiations have reached "very progressive stages" and draft proposals for a possible agreement are now being circulated, even as Iran and Oman continued talks on future shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz.
SSH has been appointed the construction supervision consultant for Sayyid Tarik bin Taimur Cultural Complex, a nationally significant project in Oman. Spanning 400,000 sq m, the complex will be home to the National Theatre and a 5,000-sq-m energy and data centre all set within landscaped gardens.
Passenger traffic through Oman’s airports reached 6.28 million passengers during the first half of 2026, down 9.3% compared with 6.92 million passengers recorded during the same period in 2025.
Oman’s Al Jabal Al Akhdar Festival 2026 has attracted over 100,000 visitors, boosting tourism and local economic activity. The 45-day event features cultural, sporting and entertainment activities while supporting SMEs, family businesses and farmers.
A fresh attack on a commercial vessel near the Strait of Hormuz and the diversion of Saudi-operated tankers away from the Red Sea underscored mounting risks to global energy supplies on Tuesday, even as the US and Iran issued conflicting statements over the status of negotiations.
The number of guests staying at three- to five-star hotels in Oman reached 992,009 by the end of June 2026, marking a 13% decline compared to the same period in 2025, when the number stood at 1,140,086, according to the latest data.
Oman has introduced a new free 14-day tourist visa for nationals of selected countries to provide greater flexibility for visitors and enhancing the country's tourism offerings.
Sohar International Bank has announced the successful completion of its OMR149.3 million ($388.3 million) rights issue.
Oman's Public Establishment for Industrial Estates (Madayn) has announced that its Ibri Industrial City has secured RO25 million ($65 million) in investments during the first half through 17 agreements spanning over 250,000 sq m for projects in oil and gas, manufacturing and light industry.
