- Oman has presented Iran with a plan backed by Gulf states to manage the Strait of Hormuz, including collecting voluntary fees for using it, a Gulf source and a Western diplomat told Reuters on Tuesday.
- The plan could serve as a basis to end the disruption to trade through the strait caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.
- Iran has expressed its desire to manage the strait alongside Oman, which controls the opposite shore, and charge service fees to ships that use it.
- Under the Omani proposal, Iran would not exercise sole control and fees would be voluntary, according to the Gulf source and Western diplomat briefed on the matter.
- The system would be analogous to one in place on Asia's Strait of Malacca, where Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore ask ships to pay voluntary contributions to fund navigation, environmental protection and search-and-rescue operations.
Oman and Iran are collaborating on a plan to manage the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial maritime route for global oil shipments. The initiative, supported by Gulf states, proposes voluntary fees for vessels transiting the strait, aiming to mitigate trade disruptions linked to the U.S.-Israeli conflict.1
According to sources, the plan seeks to establish a cooperative management system where Iran would not have sole control over the strait, which is vital for international shipping. Instead, the fees would be voluntary, similar to the system in place at the Strait of Malacca, where ships contribute to navigation and environmental protection efforts.
The discussions come amid ongoing tensions in the region, with Iran expressing a desire to work alongside Oman, which controls the opposite shore of the strait. This partnership could enhance maritime safety and stability in a region that has seen significant trade disruptions due to geopolitical conflicts.
“The plan could serve as a basis to end the disruption to trade through the strait caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran,” a Gulf source noted, highlighting the potential impact of this initiative on global trade routes.2
As the situation evolves, the success of this proposal will depend on the cooperation of all parties involved and their commitment to maintaining a secure and efficient transit system in the Strait of Hormuz.
“The proposed plan aims to alleviate trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz caused by the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran, with Iran seeking to manage the strait alongside Oman. The system would be similar to the voluntary fee structure in place on the Strait of Malacca, promoting navigation and environmental protection.”
