ALBAWABA- Iran has rejected an Omani proposal for a southern navigation route through the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that Tehran will maintain full control over the strategic waterway during any conflict, according to statements by Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister.
The Iranian official said that if Oman does not accept Tehran’s proposed arrangements for ship passage, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. He added that Iran would not recognize the Omani-proposed southern route and that discussions with Muscat are limited to establishing a temporary corridor for maritime traffic.
The deputy foreign minister said Iran’s decision to restrict navigation through the strait is intended as a defensive measure rather than an attempt to harm friendly countries, including Pakistan and China. He also stated that Iran alone is responsible for removing naval mines from the waterway under Article 5 of the relevant memorandum of understanding.
He further stressed that the legal and security arrangements governing the Strait of Hormuz differ between peacetime and wartime, arguing that Iran would exercise complete authority over the entire strait during a conflict. He warned France and Britain that deploying naval vessels to assist with mine-clearing operations would make them potential targets.
The statements come after a temporary reduction in hostilities following nearly two weeks of intensified military exchanges between Iran and the United States. US President Donald Trump recently said that talks with Tehran had been “productive” and suggested a possible agreement could be reached, while warning that military action could resume if diplomacy fails.
Despite the pause in major operations, Iran has continued to assert its strategic dominance over the Strait of Hormuz and reject foreign involvement in security arrangements or maritime operations.
The dispute with Oman adds another layer of complexity to regional diplomacy. Oman, which shares maritime interests in the strait and has historically acted as a mediator between Iran and Western and Gulf countries, has proposed alternative arrangements to restore maritime traffic. However, Tehran has maintained that any reopening of the waterway must occur under Iranian terms.
The Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of the broader US-Iran confrontation, with tensions also extending to the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandeb Strait through attacks and disruptions involving Iran-aligned groups, including Yemen’s Houthis.
The strategic waterway handles a significant portion of global energy shipments, making any prolonged closure a major threat to oil markets and international trade.
Iran’s insistence on controlling navigation, security operations, and mine clearance indicates that major disagreements remain despite the recent diplomatic openings.
With Oman positioned as a key intermediary, future negotiations over the strait are expected to play a critical role in determining whether the current pause leads to broader de-escalation or a renewed regional confrontation.
