Iran has rejected Oman’s proposal for the temporary joint administration of the Strait of Hormuz and is demanding that Tehran be given control over most of the strategic waterway. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported this, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
According to the newspaper, Oman’s proposal called for equal control of the Strait of Hormuz to be shared between Iran and Oman, along with the creation of a regional mechanism to ensure maritime security. The initiative also included voluntary contributions from shipping companies to cover search-and-rescue and navigation services.
Sources said the proposal was intended to restore shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and create conditions for the resumption of negotiations between the United States and Iran aimed at resolving the conflict.
However, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told WSJ that the inbound shipping corridor should be placed entirely under Tehran’s control. According to him, Oman could retain control only over part of the outbound route.
Iran also stated that it would not move to the next stage of negotiations with the United States until Oman agrees to this demand.
Another major point of disagreement concerns the financial mechanism. Tehran insists on introducing mandatory fees for all vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman and the Arab Gulf states support only voluntary payments.
The Wall Street Journal notes that these disagreements are complicating mediation efforts aimed at quickly restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Before the current conflict, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the Strait of Hormuz. At present, shipping along the internationally recognized maritime corridors in the area remains severely disrupted.
Source: newsru.co.il
