Iran Rejects Omani Proposal for Shared Control of the Strait of Hormuz

Iran has rejected an Omani proposal for an equal division of shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding broader control over the strategic waterway. The move complicates the renewal of talks with the US to end the war, amid Iranian missile launches toward American forces.

Iran has rejected an Omani proposal for an equal division of shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz, demanding broader control over the strategic waterway. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Oman proposed a temporary arrangement that would equally divide the shipping lanes between the two countries, but Tehran demanded to receive the majority of control. Iran presented a counter-proposal, whereby the shipping lane in one direction would pass entirely through Iranian waters, and part of the lane in the opposite direction would also be under its control. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stated on state television that "the incoming shipping lane must be entirely under Iran's control, while part of the outgoing shipping lane can remain under Oman's control." The move complicates the renewal of talks with the United States to end the war, amid Iranian ballistic missile launches toward American forces in the Middle East on Tuesday evening. A brief lull in fighting since Friday has led to renewed mediation efforts, which also included a proposal for a ten-day ceasefire.