A Gulf source told Reuters that Oman has proposed a joint regional mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz, under which Iran would no longer exercise sole control. The proposal, which reportedly has regional backing, is modeled on the Strait of Malacca and would rely on voluntary contributions from transiting vessels.
Oman has proposed a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz, under which Iran would no longer exercise sole control of the strategic waterway, a Gulf source told Reuters today (Tuesday). The proposal, which reportedly has regional backing, is modeled on the Strait of Malacca and would include voluntary contributions from transiting vessels. This Reuters report adds new details of regional support and the Malacca model, following earlier reports that emerged over the weekend.
The story of the Omani proposal first surfaced on Sunday, July 26, at 19:23 Jerusalem, when CNN reported that Oman had proposed a regional consortium with a voluntary payment mechanism. At the same time, Israeli media, citing a Gulf source, reported that Oman had offered Iran a joint management mechanism with "voluntary fees" for passage. The Zioneer summarized the Israeli media report earlier today at 09:40 Jerusalem. The new Reuters report now corroborates and expands on these earlier accounts, adding that the proposal has regional backing and is explicitly modeled on the Malacca Strait arrangement.
The Omani initiative is the latest in a series of diplomatic steps regarding the Strait of Hormuz. As The Zioneer reported on July 12, Oman drafted a proposal for separate shipping lanes, with the southern route free of Iran's permit requirements. On June 15, Iran and Oman announced a joint management company for the strait. The June 16 US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding included provisions for maritime governance talks with Oman, as The Zioneer reported. Earlier, on June 27, The Zioneer reported on Iran targeting southern Hormuz shipping to enforce protection payments, underscoring the stakes of the negotiations.
It remains unclear whether Iran has accepted the proposal. The US response has not been reported. The voluntary contribution model represents a departure from Iran's earlier insistence on mandatory fees, and whether Tehran will accept this approach remains an open question.
3 developments
- StrongOman drafts proposal for separate Strait of Hormuz lanes, with southern route free of Iran's permit requirements
- DevelopingIran and Oman announce joint management company for Strait of Hormuz
- StrongOmani mediators optimistic for Strait of Hormuz breakthrough in coming days, Bloomberg reports
- DevelopingReport: Oman submits formal Strait of Hormuz proposal to US
Source and signal
- Open-source intake