Iran has rejected Oman’s proposal for joint regional management of the Strait of Hormuz, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Wednesday.
The official said the proposal had “no chance of success.” The official said Iran and Oman should each manage the part of the strait under their control, with no role for other powers.
Tehran wants the entire inbound shipping route and part of the outbound route under Iranian control. Although Iran considers Oman a valuable neighbor and mediator, the official said a 50-50 division would not serve Iranian interests.
The official also accused the United States and Saudi Arabia of pressuring Oman to accept what the official called unrealistic plans.
Oman presented the Gulf-backed proposal on July 28, months after the United States and Israel began attacking Iran on Feb. 28.
Oman’s plan would place the waterway under regional management. Ships could voluntarily help pay for navigation, environmental protection and rescue services.
Before the conflict, about one-fifth of global oil supplies and approximately one-fifth of global liquefied natural gas trade passed through the strait, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The United States and Iran reached a 14-point memorandum of understanding in June. It called for an end to military operations, the reopening of the strait and further negotiations.
The agreement provided for safe, charge-free commercial passage for 60 days. It also required Iran to discuss the strait’s future administration with Oman and other Gulf states.
The June agreement broke down after Iranian forces fired on ships using a channel Tehran did not approve. Washington launched a renewed bombing campaign against Iran earlier in July, while Iran struck U.S. forces and targeted vessels it said were using unauthorized routes.
President Donald Trump suspended the U.S. bombing campaign last Friday after 13 consecutive nights of strikes.
Iran launched ballistic missiles at U.S. forces in the Middle East on Tuesday.
The United States and Saudi Arabia struck Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq on Wednesday. It was the first major U.S. military action in the region since Trump suspended the campaign.
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