According to a senior Iranian source speaking to Reuters on Tuesday, Iran wants control over inbound shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and visibility over outbound traffic under a temporary plan being discussed with Oman. The strategic waterway handles approximately one-fifth of global oil supplies and has remained largely blocked since the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran began in late February.
Strait of Hormuz Shipping Control Plan Under Discussion
Tehran and Muscat are actively negotiating temporary measures to reopen the critical maritime chokepoint. According to the senior Iranian source involved in the talks, the general idea currently being discussed involves Iran maintaining control over inbound vessels while retaining visibility and the ability to intervene in outbound traffic if necessary. The source noted that Tehran has already shown flexibility by moving away from its initial demand for full control over traffic in both directions.
Outbound shipping lanes would follow a specific route situated between Iran and Oman, with exit clearance granted through Oman after notifying Iranian authorities. This marks a shift from last month, when Tehran rejected an Omani proposal that called for an equal division of transit routes between the two countries. At the time, Iranian officials stated that the equal-division proposal failed to adequately address national security concerns until long-term regional stability could be established.
Did you know? The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway measuring 34 kilometers, or 21 miles, wide at its tightest point. It serves as the primary passage from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean for Middle Eastern energy supplies and vital goods such as fertilizers.
Historical Routing and the Wartime Blockade
Before the conflict erupted in late February, commercial vessels passed freely through the strait. The physical geography places the waterway within the territorial waters of both Iran and Oman, though it is widely regarded as an international strait. The established routing system relies on a two-way traffic separation scheme adopted by the United Nations shipping agency in 1968 with the agreement of regional countries, which split sailing corridors through Iranian and Omani territorial waters.
Control of the passage remains a central point of contention in diplomatic efforts to end the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Washington maintains that a memorandum of understanding signed with Tehran in June to halt the hostilities required Iran to reopen the strategic waterway. Conversely, Tehran argues that the text of the agreement explicitly preserves its authority over shipping traffic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Strait of Hormuz important?
The Strait of Hormuz is the main route for approximately a fifth of the world’s oil supplies, along with other essential goods like fertilizers, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.
What are Iran and Oman discussing regarding the strait?
According to a senior Iranian source cited by Reuters, the two nations are discussing a temporary plan where Iran controls inbound shipping and maintains visibility over outbound traffic, with exit clearance granted through Oman after notifying Tehran.
When did the waterway become blocked?
The strategic waterway has been largely blocked since the start of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran in late February.
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