Iran says Oman cannot reopen Strait of Hormuz without coordination

Iran has hardened its stance in talks with Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz, rejecting a proposal for equal joint oversight and advancing a counterproposal that would give Tehran greater control over shipping through the strategic waterway. Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Oman’s plan did not sufficiently address Iran’s security concerns and said the strait would remain closed if Muscat rejects Tehran’s terms. The dispute centers on control of one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints after the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran disrupted traffic through the passage. Before the conflict, about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies moved through the strait. A June 17 memorandum of understanding between Iran and the United States was meant to reopen it to shipping without charge for at least 60 days, but disagreements over the deal’s wording, route design and ultimate authority over the waterway have kept the issue unresolved. Gharibabadi said Oman proposed a 50-50 arrangement under which Iran would oversee transit lanes on its side and Oman would manage lanes along its coast, with voluntary ship fees shared by both countries in a model resembling the Strait of Malacca. Iran instead wants one route to lie entirely within its territorial waters and part of the opposite route to pass through Iranian waters as well, allowing Tehran to oversee both inbound and outbound traffic. Other unresolved issues include ship trajectories, fees, who would define any final arrangement and mine-clearance operations. A further Omani idea under consideration could involve three routes through Iranian, international and Omani waters, while Iranian officials have indicated some flexibility.