Iran and Oman agree on sharing control over the Strait of Hormuz

According to Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, Oman proposed creating a joint regional mechanism under which both countries would receive 50 percent control. The plan envisioned that vessels would enter the strait through Iran's territorial waters and exit through Oman's waters. Each state would control navigation in its half of the strait.

Additionally, official Muscat proposed introducing voluntary contributions for vessels passing through the strait. These funds were planned to be used to maintain navigation safety, protect the environment, and conduct rescue operations. This scheme resembles the mechanism in place in the Strait of Malacca.

Iran, however, stated that such an approach does not take its national security interests into account. In response, Tehran proposed that one of the main shipping routes should entirely pass through Iranian territorial waters, and the second should also be partially under Iranian control. According to the country's authorities, this would allow for more effective control over vessel traffic.

The Iranian side also warned that the strait would remain closed if Oman did not accept the new proposal. Furthermore, Tehran made it clear that there would be no return to the previous free passage regime.

According to Al Jazeera, Oman is now considering another compromise option. It envisages the creation of three separate routes for vessels: one will pass through Iran's territorial waters, the second along an international shipping lane, and the third through Oman's territorial waters. The channel's sources note that Iran is showing some readiness for compromise, but its final position is not yet known.

The directions of vessel movement, issues of strait mine clearance, and the size of payments for its use also remain subjects of dispute. According to expert estimates, the fee proposed by Iran could reach one million dollars per vessel, which significantly exceeds the system of voluntary contributions operating in the Strait of Malacca.

The Strait of Hormuz remains a center of tension after the armed conflict between Iran and the United States. Before the start of hostilities, about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through it. After the strait's closure by Iran, serious problems with global energy supplies arose.

A memorandum signed in mid-June between Iran and the United States stipulated the resumption of navigation without charges for at least 60 days. However, differing interpretations of the terms of this document led to new disputes over who should exercise ultimate control over the strait and which routes vessels should use. This led to a new escalation of the situation, although hostilities were later ceased. Diplomatic negotiations regarding the future of the Strait of Hormuz continue.

• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 0
• 1
• 0