Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister said Tuesday that Tehran proposed to Oman that Iran manage the shipping route in the Strait of Hormuz adjacent to its coast, while Oman would manage a portion of the opposite route, according to Army Radio (N13) reporters Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh. The proposal stops short of full joint management of the strategic waterway.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister stated Tuesday evening that Tehran has proposed to Oman a division of authority over the Strait of Hormuz: Iran would manage the shipping lane adjacent to its own coast, while Oman would manage a portion of the opposite lane. The remarks, reported by Army Radio (N13) correspondents Moriah Asraf and Doron Kadosh, provide the first official detail of how Iran envisions the shared arrangement, following an earlier confirmation that Iran had proposed joint management.
The proposal, which stops short of full joint management, was detailed hours after a rapid sequence of reports Tuesday. At 15:58 Jerusalem, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian source, that Oman had floated new ideas for managing the waterway, with Tehran yet to respond. Minutes later, a senior Iranian official acknowledged receipt of the Omani proposals, and Iranian sources confirmed that Tehran had proposed joint management of the Strait's passage (ynet, 15:58 Jerusalem). At 20:03 Jerusalem, two regional diplomats told i24NEWS that progress had been made on a temporary solution — opening a middle route between Omani and Iranian territorial waters — while permanent arrangements remained contested, with Iran insisting on control and fees and the U.S. opposing.
The Zioneer has reported extensively on the diplomatic maneuvering. On June 15, the Intelligence Desk noted Iran's claim that the U.S. recognized its right to collect tolls after a 60-day grace period. On June 23, Iran and Oman issued a joint statement reiterating sovereign rights over their respective territorial waters. On June 26, the Iranian Foreign Ministry stated that shipping in the Strait is governed by a memorandum with Oman. On July 11, reports indicated that Iran initiated the Muscat talks. The consistent theme is Tehran's effort to formalize its role as a regulator of the waterway, challenging the international definition of the Strait as international waters.
Oman's response to the latest Iranian proposal is not yet known. The U.S. position on a divided management scheme has not been publicly stated, and the status of the temporary middle route remains unclear.
5 developments
- ConfirmedOman submits proposal to Iran on Strait of Hormuz administration with voluntary transit fees
- DevelopingIran reportedly rejects Omani plan for alternative southern route to Hormuz under US supervision
- StrongOman drafts proposal for separate Strait of Hormuz lanes, with southern route free of Iran's permit requirements
- StrongIran: Strait of Hormuz management is solely Iran and Oman's responsibility, toll collection continues
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