1. Joint Regional Management Mechanism Opposed: Oman proposed last week a joint regional management mechanism modeled after the Strait of Malacca, with (regional countries) jointly responsible for navigation safety, funded by voluntary contributions from shipping companies. This proposal has been rejected by Iran.
2. Oman's "Half-and-Half" Plan Also Opposed: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister revealed that Oman had also proposed dividing the shipping lane in half between Iranian and Omani territorial waters, with ships entering from one side and exiting from the other.
Iran also rejected this proposal and put forward a contrary suggestion: Iran would manage its own side of the strait, while Oman would manage a portion (not all) of the opposite lane. This would effectively give Iran control over both lanes simultaneously.
3. Latest Iranian Statement: Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi stated that negotiations with Oman "have entered the final stage," with plans to design a shipping route that respects the sovereignty of both sides. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Baga'e stated that the goal is to find an acceptable route (neither the northern nor the southern shipping lanes) to safeguard Iran's national interests and security; and that Iran is cooperating with Oman to open a temporary safe passage through the Strait.
(Note: Oman has not yet responded.)
