Iran Rejects Oman's Strait of Hormuz Plan, Pushes for Greater Control.

Iran has rejected Oman's proposal for the joint management of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, instead presenting a counterproposal that would grant Tehran greater authority over one of the world's busiest energy shipping routes.

Speaking on Iranian state television, Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Oman's proposal failed to address Iran's security concerns. The Omani plan suggested a 50-50 management arrangement, with each country overseeing shipping lanes within its own territorial waters and sharing voluntary fees collected from passing vessels.

According to Gharibabadi, Iran's proposal would place one shipping route entirely within Iranian territorial waters while allowing part of the opposite lane to also pass through Iranian waters. Tehran says this would enable it to monitor both incoming and outgoing maritime traffic more effectively.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained at the center of tensions since conflict erupted between Iran and the United States earlier this year. The vital waterway, through which nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supplies normally pass, was closed by Iran after hostilities began, disrupting global energy markets.

Although a June 17 memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States aimed to reopen the strait, disagreements over control, navigation routes, and shipping regulations have delayed a lasting agreement.

Iran has also indicated that the strait will remain closed if Oman rejects its latest proposal. Tehran further insists that the waterway should no longer operate under the pre-war system, where commercial vessels passed without paying any fees.

Other unresolved issues include the direction of shipping lanes, mine clearance operations, and the amount vessels should pay to use the route. While Oman favors a voluntary contribution system similar to that used in the Strait of Malacca, Iran is reportedly seeking significantly higher service fees to help finance reconstruction following damage caused during the conflict.

Diplomatic negotiations between the two countries are continuing as regional leaders seek a solution that would restore safe navigation through one of the world's most strategically important maritime corridors.

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