Oman has presented a new regional proposal calling for joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, shifting oversight of the vital waterway away from Iran alone to a shared arrangement among regional states.
Muscat, Oman – Web Desk: Oman has put forward a new regional proposal for the joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime passages, under which oversight of the waterway would be shared among regional countries rather than resting solely with Iran.
According to a report by British news agency Reuters, a Gulf source said Oman’s proposal envisions Iran participating alongside other regional states in managing the strategic waterway, rather than exercising complete unilateral oversight as it currently does. The report noted that the plan reportedly has the backing of other countries in the Gulf region, though the governments involved have not yet released any official details, meaning the information remains unverified independently.
Sources said the proposed framework draws on the existing model used in the Strait of Malacca, where countries and vessels using the waterway voluntarily pay fees. Those funds go toward covering the costs of shipping management, marine environmental protection, navigational improvements, and search-and-rescue operations.
Analysts believe that if the plan is approved, it could help make maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz safer, reduce tensions in the region, and stabilize the global oil and trade supply chain. However, this remains an initial proposal, and its final approval or implementation will depend on decisions by the relevant governments.
The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most strategically important maritime routes in the world, through which a large share of the globe’s crude oil and natural gas shipments pass. The waterway lies between Iran and Oman, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea.
In recent months, rising tensions in the region have created uncertainty in global maritime trade and energy markets, affecting crude oil prices and shipping insurance costs. Experts say that if Oman’s proposal moves forward, it could mark a significant step toward easing tensions in the region, though the final outcome is expected to become clearer in the coming days.
