Strait of Hormuz impasse: Iran rejects Oman's proposal and demands full control
The issue of control over the Strait of Hormuz remains unresolved: Iran has rejected Oman's compromise proposal for a joint regional mechanism to regulate ship traffic. Tehran insists that shipping lanes must pass through its territorial waters and has threatened to keep the strait completely closed if its demands are not met.
Iran announced on Wednesday that it is flatly rejecting Oman's compromise proposal to regulate ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz using a joint mechanism. Tehran insists on maintaining tight control over the shipping lanes, even if peace were to return to the region completely.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi revealed that Oman had proposed a temporary outline for equal division, under which one entry lane would be under the control of one country, and the exit lane under the control of the other. However, Tehran was quick to reject the formula, claiming it does not provide an adequate response to the "national security concerns" of the Islamic Republic, according to a report by Reuters and Iranian state television.
The Iranians raised a counter-demand, according to which one shipping lane would be entirely within their territorial waters, while the second part would also pass partially through their territory. Gharibabadi explicitly threatened that if Oman rejects the proposal, the Strait of Hormuz will remain completely closed.
The rejected Omani proposal, which received backing from Gulf states, was intended to prevent Iran from exercising exclusive control over the strait. The outline was based on a joint regional management mechanism and the collection of voluntary fees from commercial ships, similar to the model existing in the Strait of Malacca in Asia.
While Gharibabadi claimed that it was the United States that requested to negotiate and made promises through Oman to avoid a military confrontation, President Donald Trump presented a different picture. Trump confirmed that "good talks" are taking place between the Americans and Iran, but emphasized the American position of strength, while noting his preference to avoid attacking power plants and bridges in Iran.
In the background, an Iranian official said that the United States and Saudi Arabia are trying to exert pressure on Oman to promote their "unrealistic" plans regarding the Strait of Hormuz, according to Reuters.
In parallel to the maritime crisis, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi held talks last night with his counterparts from Oman and Saudi Arabia regarding diplomatic efforts to restore stability to the region.
