Oman has drafted a proposal to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz via
two separately controlled channels; the draft is not final. Both channels would
remain open. The southern channel, inside Omani territorial waters, would allow
free navigation under pre-conflict patterns. The northern channel, inside
Iranian territorial waters, would require vessels to obtain prior Iranian
approval but — per the draft — would not carry transit fees. Iran’s foreign
minister met Oman’s foreign minister in Muscat to discuss mechanisms to secure
vessel passage.
