Iran Threatens to Keep Strait of Hormuz Closed, Demands Full Control of One Shipping Lane

Iran’s deputy foreign minister announced that Tehran has submitted a final proposal to Oman, demanding full control of one of the Strait of Hormuz’s two main shipping lanes and partial control of the other. The official stated that Iran “will accept no formula” other than this arrangement, warning that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed if the proposal is rejected [206003]. The strait is a crucial waterway through which about 20% of the world’s oil passes [206003].

Oman has presented Iran with a separate proposal, backed by Gulf Arab states, to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz. The plan includes a system of voluntary fees for ships using the strategic waterway, according to a Gulf source and a Western diplomat [205944]. The initiative aims to restore stable shipping through the strait after months of disruption caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran and subsequent attacks on commercial vessels [205944].

Iran announced progress Sunday in talks with Oman over managing the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said deputy foreign ministers from both countries held several rounds of talks Friday and Saturday in Tehran. The goal was to agree on “common principles and operational mechanisms” for safe navigation through the strait, while respecting the rights of both coastal states. “The talks were useful and progress was made,” Baghaei said [204798].

Mediators have made progress in efforts to stop the war between the United States and Iran, two regional officials said Monday. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Qatar and Pakistan are leading talks to get both sides back to a ceasefire deal. One official described the progress as “significant” and said mediators are working with Iran and Oman on a plan to manage ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz [204718]. The news comes after three days with no attacks from either side, following two weeks of heavy bombing [204718].

Iran’s Foreign Minister, Abbas Araghchi, held separate phone calls with his counterparts in Oman and Saudi Arabia on Monday evening, according to a statement on his Telegram channel. The discussions focused on regional peace and security in the Strait of Hormuz. The statement said the leaders “emphasized the necessity of strengthening cooperation” [206030].

Iran’s deputy foreign minister has also stated that the Strait of Hormuz must not be allowed to return to its condition before the war. The official insisted that the strait’s status must change permanently, signaling a hardline stance on the key maritime route [205901].