Oman, Iran discuss smooth transit in Strait of Hormuz, Muscat says

Oman and Iran held deputy foreign minister-level talks on Saturday to discuss ensuring the smooth transit of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting, attended by specialists from both sides, explored options and proposals to address current regional circumstances affecting passage. This comes as Iran has been restricting traffic in the strait, a vital waterway for global oil supplies, in response to the ongoing US-Israeli war on the country. Tracking data on Sunday showed Omani ships transiting the strait outside Iran's approved corridor. An Iranian official previously stated that Iran was drafting a protocol with Oman to monitor traffic in the strait.

A French-owned container ship crossed the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first vessel from a major Western European firm to do so since the recent US-Israeli conflict with Iran began in late February. The Malta-flagged ship, owned by CMA CGM, passed through the vital waterway despite ongoing tensions and attacks on ships, which had previously halted normal transport activity. A Japanese ship carrying natural gas also successfully navigated the strait. While Iran claims "non-hostile vessels" can use the waterway, many ships are hugging the coast of Oman for safety. The conflict had significantly reduced traffic, leaving approximately 200 vessels stranded, though some ships, including those linked to Iran, Pakistan, and India, continued to transit the area. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical passage for about a fifth of the world's oil and liquid natural gas.

A container ship owned by French shipping company CMA CGM successfully crossed the Strait of Hormuz on April 2, marking the first passage by a Western vessel since the US-Israeli war on Iran began on February 28. The Malta-flagged Kribi's transit is notable as the Strait had been effectively closed, impacting global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. While the method of securing safe passage remains unclear, shipping data indicates the vessel changed its destination to signal its French ownership to Iranian authorities before entering Iranian waters. Prior to the war, the Strait was a key route for approximately a fifth of global oil and gas supplies, but since March 1, only around 150 vessels, mostly linked to Iran, China, India, and Pakistan, have transited the waterway. The incident comes as fuel prices have risen worldwide due to the Strait's disruption.