Iran and Oman have reached an agreement in principle to jointly manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi announced.
The draft agreement includes a total ban on any military vessels crossing the vital waterway, according to details released by Gharibabadi.
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime choke point located between Iran to the north and Oman to the south. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and serves as one of the most critical shipping lanes in the world for global energy supplies.
Joint traffic management plan
Under the proposed terms, Iran and Oman will share oversight of all vessel movements through the strait. Inbound maritime traffic entering the Persian Gulf will travel entirely through Iranian territorial waters.
Outbound shipping leaving the gulf will operate partially inside Iranian territorial waters and partially within Omani waters. Territorial waters generally extend up to 12 nautical miles from a nation's coast under international maritime law.
Gharibabadi did not address whether the two nations plan to charge fees or tolls on ships passing through the managed routes.
Upcoming announcement and regional talks
Oman expects to announce a formal agreement on the management of the Strait of Hormuz soon, following a new round of meetings with officials in Tehran.
Tehran is the capital of Iran, while Muscat serves as the capital of Oman. Oman has frequently served as a diplomatic mediator in regional maritime and security affairs in the Middle East.
United States position on naval mines
United States President Donald Trump said that explosive naval mines are no longer present in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump also warned government authorities in Tehran against placing any additional mines in the waterway.
The United States maintains a naval presence in the Middle East to protect commercial shipping lanes and ensure freedom of navigation through international sea routes.
