Iran and Oman exchange proposals to manage Strait of Hormuz

What the report says

Al Jazeera, citing Reuters and its own reporting from Tehran, reported on July 28 that Iran and Oman have traded proposals over how to manage the Strait of Hormuz after wartime disruption to one of the world’s most important shipping routes. Oman has put forward a plan for a joint regional mechanism, reportedly supported by other regional actors, under which ships using the waterway would make voluntary payments rather than Iran exercising exclusive control.

The Omani idea is described as drawing on arrangements in the Strait of Malacca, where Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore seek voluntary contributions from vessels to support navigation, environmental protection and search-and-rescue work. Al Jazeera reported that unresolved issues include vessel routes, fees, who would set the rules, and mine clearance, which is expected to fall to Iran. The article said Oman has suggested three traffic lines: one in Iranian waters, one international route and one in Omani waters.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state media that Tehran rejects an equal division of transit lanes if it fails to address Iran’s security concerns. He said Iran’s counterproposal would have each side manage shipping in its own area, while Oman would handle only part of the opposite lane. He also said talks with Oman are continuing in stages, while ruling out negotiations with the United States.

The dispute matters because the strait carried about one-fifth of global energy supplies before the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, according to the report. Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers also met by video to discuss navigation and regional coordination, while the United States recently suspended air strikes amid diplomatic pressure to restore shipping access.