Arabic version: إيران وعُمان تتبادلان مقترحات لإدارة مضيق هرمز

According to Al Jazeera, Iran and Oman have exchanged proposals on managing the Strait of Hormuz, with major disagreements remaining over shipping routes, fees and control of the strategic waterway. Oman has proposed a joint regional mechanism with voluntary fees, while Iran has rejected an equal division of transit routes.

Reuters reported that Oman’s proposal has regional backing and would mean Iran does not exercise sole control of the strait. The plan is based on the Strait of Malacca model, under which Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore seek voluntary contributions from ships to support navigation, environmental protection and search-and-rescue operations.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi told Iranian state media that Tehran’s proposal would have Iran manage shipping on its side of the strait, while Oman would manage part, but not all, of the opposite lane. He said Iran had no plans to negotiate with the United States, though talks with Oman were proceeding “step by step”.

Al Jazeera reported that outstanding issues include ship trajectories, fees, responsibility for setting arrangements and mine clearances, which would reportedly fall to Iran. The United States suspended a nearly two-week air-strike campaign against Iran over the weekend following pressure from regional mediators for a diplomatic solution. Before the February 28 start of the US-Israel war on Iran, the strait carried one-fifth of global energy supplies.