Iran and Oman, the two coastal states flanking the Strait of Hormuz, discussed measures to ensure smooth navigation through the strategic waterway.
Oman's state news agency reported on its X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday that the two countries held deputy foreign minister-level talks that day. With experts from both sides in attendance, the discussions covered measures to ensure smooth passage through the strait in light of the current regional situation, and possible options were reviewed, the agency said. Specific details of the discussions were not disclosed.
Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Organizations Affairs, said in a recent interview with foreign media that Iran is developing a new protocol with Oman to monitor vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. He argued that even in peacetime, ships wishing to transit the strait need to coordinate with the coastal states of Iran and Oman. "This is not a restriction but aims to ensure safe navigation and provide better services," he explained. Gharibabadi also stressed, "One should not expect pre-war rules to apply going forward," adding that "restrictions and bans on navigation are inevitable for aggressor nations and those supporting them."
The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic chokepoint through which 20% of the world's seaborne crude oil shipments pass. However, due to the recently intensified Middle East conflict, safe vessel passage is currently impossible, leaving the strait in a state of de facto closure. Iran, which is at war with the United States and Israel, has signaled it would selectively permit transit through the Strait of Hormuz based on factors such as vessel nationality and cargo type, drawing global attention to the outcome of the two countries' consultations.