Iran Makes Demand and Derails Peace Initiative – WSJ
Iran rejected Oman's peace initiative for joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, demanding control over most of the waterway. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated that Tehran will block talks with the US unless Oman agrees to this demand. Disagreements also concern mandatory fees on ships, which Iran insists on, while Oman and Gulf states support voluntary payments. The diplomatic failure threatens the global energy system, as 20% of the world's oil and LNG supplies pass through the strait.
Iran has categorically rejected Oman's peace initiative, which proposed temporary joint management of the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran demanded full control over most of this key international waterway. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the American press that the inbound maritime corridor must be solely controlled by his state, with Oman possibly left only a minor part of the outbound route. He emphasized that Iran will block further rounds of talks with the US until Muscat fully agrees to this demand. A serious obstacle is also the mandatory financial fees on passing ships, which Iran insists on, while Oman and other Gulf states support only voluntary payments. Before the escalation, 20% of the world's oil and LNG supplies were transported through the Strait of Hormuz. The failure of diplomatic efforts poses a threat to the global energy system.