Iran and Oman exchange proposals to manage Strait of Hormuz

Iran and Oman have exchanged proposals for managing the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway where their territorial waters meet. Oman has put forward a proposal, reportedly with regional backing, for a joint regional mechanism that would involve voluntary fees from ships using the strait. This Omani model is based on the Strait of Malacca, where user countries voluntarily contribute to fund navigation and other services. The proposal aims to prevent disruptions to global trade, though Iran insists the strait cannot return to its pre-war status of free shipping. Iran's deputy foreign minister rejected an Omani idea for an equal division of transit routes, stating it doesn't address Iran's security concerns. Iran's counter-proposal suggests Iran would manage shipping on its side of the strait and a portion of the opposite lane.

Oman has presented Iran with a plan, supported by Gulf states, to manage the Strait of Hormuz. This proposal includes the collection of voluntary fees for passage through the vital waterway. The initiative aims to de-escalate tensions and potentially end trade disruptions in the strait, which have been linked to the "US-Israeli war on Iran." While President Trump indicated ongoing "good talks" with Iran and threatened renewed strikes if negotiations fail, Iran denies seeking to resume talks with the United States. The plan's presentation was reported by a Gulf source and a Western diplomat.