Iranian-Omani Proposal for Regulating Navigation in the Strait of Hormuz Amid US Reservations

Informed media reports have revealed a joint proposal between Tehran and Muscat aimed at establishing a new mechanism for managing the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The plan includes the formation of a joint administrative framework for the vital waterway, alongside a proposal to impose fees or service charges on transiting commercial vessels in exchange for maritime safety services, environmental monitoring, and emergency response. According to US sources, the proposal was recently submitted to Washington and draws inspiration from models applied in other international corridors, with the possibility of jointly managing the financial revenues. In response, the US administration expressed initial reservations, emphasizing its commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation and rejecting any mandatory fees in international waterways. Washington is expected to hold technical discussions with Omani officials to review the details and explore potential resolutions to differing viewpoints.