Oman's foreign minister said Iran is responsible for ensuring shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz are clear of mines, and did not rule out imposing future fees to facilitate safe navigation through the strait. The statement, reported by the source, adds a regional voice to the ongoing discourse over management and tolls in the strategic waterway.
Oman's foreign minister stated that Iran bears responsibility for clearing mines from the shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the source. He also said he does not rule out the possibility of imposing transit fees in the future to facilitate and secure navigation in the strait. The remark comes amid a months-long thread of Iranian assertions of sovereignty and fee-collection in the strait, and Omani counter-statements affirming free passage. As The Zioneer reported on Thursday, Oman's Foreign Ministry rejected any transit fees and affirmed freedom of navigation. The current statement, which does not rule out fees, marks a potential shift in tone from Muscat. The exact context of the interview or forum in which the minister spoke is not specified in the source.
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