Iran pushes for inbound control and outbound oversight of Hormuz shipping lane

Iran is discussing a temporary arrangement with Oman that would give Tehran control over ships entering the Strait of Hormuz and visibility over those leaving, a senior Iranian participant in the talks disclosed. Under the concept, outbound vessels would follow a route between Iran and Oman, receiving clearance from Oman only after Iran is informed. While Iran has moved away from its initial demand for total control of traffic in both directions, it still dismissed Oman's proposal for an equal split of transit routes, arguing it does not address Tehran's security worries until broader regional stability is achieved.

The strait, a narrow 34-km channel linking the Gulf with the Indian Ocean, handles roughly 20% of global oil shipments and other critical commodities. Since the war began in late February, the waterway has been largely blocked, making the dispute over its reopening a focal point of the conflict. Washington maintains that a June memorandum required Iran to reopen the passage, whereas Tehran insists the agreement preserves its right to oversee shipping traffic.