- Iran and Oman have exchanged proposals regarding the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, as points of contention continue to exist between the two nations whose territorial waters border the strategic waterway.
- Oman presented a proposal to Iran for a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz with “voluntary fees”, which reportedly has regional backing.
- Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s deputy foreign minister, stated that Tehran rejects an Omani proposal for an equal division of transit routes, as it does not address Tehran’s security concerns.
- This proposal aims to contribute to ending the global disruption to trade caused by the strait’s closure in the US-Israeli war on Iran.
- Gharibabadi indicated that Tehran proposed to Oman that Iran would manage shipping through its side of the strait, while Muscat would manage part but not all of the strait.
- Oman is suggesting three lines for maritime traffic: one through Iran’s territorial waters, an international one, and one through Omani territorial waters.
- Tehran has “no plans to negotiate with the US”, but talks are proceeding “step by step” with Oman, with Tehran warning it will consider “any action” to maintain control over the strait.
- Paul Musgrave, a professor at Georgetown University, remarked that Oman’s proposal to Iran to get the Strait of Hormuz running again is positive, but it remains uncertain if hardliners in Iran will accept it.
- Musgrave noted that under the Strait of Malacca model, voluntary contributions raise about $70m annually, far from the $1m per ship reportedly proposed by Tehran as a “service fee” in the Strait of Hormuz.
- The Strait of Hormuz carried one-fifth of global energy supplies before the February 28 start of the US-Israel war on Iran.
- Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers met via video call to discuss the latest developments in the conflict, including ways to improve cooperation on issues surrounding freedom and navigation through the waterway.
- The United States suspended a nearly two-week-long campaign of air strikes against Iran after pressure from regional mediators to find a diplomatic solution and return to the signed in June, which would allow shipping to resume in the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman has put forth a proposal to Iran for a joint management mechanism of the Strait of Hormuz, which includes voluntary fees. This initiative seeks to address ongoing tensions and facilitate maritime traffic in a region critical for global energy supplies.1239101113
The proposal, reportedly backed by regional allies, suggests that Iran would not have sole control over the strait. An unnamed Gulf source indicated that the plan aims to mitigate the disruptions to global trade caused by the strait's closure amid the US-Israel conflict with Iran.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister, has expressed Tehran's rejection of an equal division of transit routes, citing security concerns. He stated, “Iran would manage shipping through its side of the strait and Muscat would manage part but not all of the.”
Oman’s proposal includes three lines for maritime traffic: one through Iranian waters, an international route, and one through Omani waters. Paul Musgrave, a professor at Georgetown University, remarked that while Oman’s initiative is a positive step, it remains uncertain if hardliners in Iran will accept it.
Historically, the Strait of Hormuz has been vital, carrying one-fifth of global energy supplies before the recent conflict escalated. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is also discussing ways to enhance cooperation on navigation issues in the strait.
“Any action” to maintain control over the strait, including potential military responses, has been warned by Tehran, indicating the high stakes involved in this proposal.
“Oman's proposal aims to restore maritime traffic and alleviate global trade disruptions caused by the US-Israel war on Iran. Meanwhile, Iran's deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated Tehran rejects equal division of transit routes, citing security concerns.”
