Iran Rejects Oman's Gulf-Backed Proposal for Joint Control of Strait of Hormuz

Iran has rejected an Omani proposal to share control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which carried a fifth of global energy supplies before the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28, 2026. Oman proposed a joint regional mechanism with voluntary fees modeled on the Strait of Malacca. However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated the plan fails to address Tehran's security concerns, as Iran demands the majority share of control over the waterway.

Iran rejects Oman proposal

• ▪Iran rejected an Omani proposal to evenly divide control of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding a larger share of the waterway.
• ▪Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, stated on July 28, 2026, that Tehran rejects the Omani proposal because it fails to address Iran's security concerns.

Strait of Hormuz management

• ▪The Omani proposal suggests three maritime traffic lines: one through Iranian territorial waters, an international line, and one through Omani territorial waters.
• ▪Oman presented a proposal to Iran for a joint regional mechanism to manage the Strait of Hormuz with voluntary fees, preventing Iran from exercising sole control.

Strait of Malacca model

• ▪The Omani proposal is modeled on the Strait of Malacca, where user ships voluntarily contribute to fund navigation, environmental protection, and search and rescue.
• ▪The Strait of Malacca model raises about $70 million annually, whereas Iran has reportedly proposed a service fee of $1 million per ship in the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran-Oman negotiation disputes

• ▪Iran proposed that it would manage shipping through its side of the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman would manage only a part of the opposite lane.
• ▪Points of contention between Iran and Oman include ship trajectories, fees, who defines the arrangements, and mine clearance, which is reportedly Iran's responsibility.

Regional diplomatic mediation

• ▪Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers met via video call on July 28, 2026, to discuss regional developments and cooperation on freedom of navigation.
• ▪Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the Strait of Hormuz with his Omani and Saudi counterparts on July 27, 2026, emphasizing regional cooperation.

US-Israel war on Iran

• ▪The Strait of Hormuz carried approximately one-fifth of global energy supplies before the conflict began on February 28, 2026.
• ▪The United States suspended its campaign of airstrikes against Iran over the weekend of July 25-26, 2026, following pressure from regional mediators.
• ▪The United States and Israel launched a joint bombing campaign on Iran on February 28, 2026, to target its regime, ballistic missile, and nuclear programs.

3 sources