Iranian-Omani Proposal for Managing the Strait of Hormuz Amid US Reservations

Media reports have revealed a joint proposal by Iran and the Sultanate of Oman to establish a shared management mechanism for the Strait of Hormuz. The proposal includes imposing financial fees or service charges on commercial vessels passing through this vital strategic corridor. The plan, recently presented to the United States, aims to regulate maritime traffic and collect revenues in exchange for enhancing navigational safety, monitoring the marine environment, and responding to emergencies, with the possibility of jointly managing the proceeds among the concerned parties. For its part, the US administration expressed initial reservations, reaffirming its commitment to the principle of freedom of navigation and its rejection of any mandatory transit fees in international waterways. Washington is expected to hold technical discussions with Muscat to review the details of the proposal and address differing viewpoints.