Iran Might Allow Ships To Pass Through The Omani Side Of Hormuz Strait

Iran has proposed allowing ships to pass safely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States, according to a source familiar with the discussions.

The source said Iran could permit vessels to sail through waters near Oman’s jurisdiction without interference from Iran, but only if a broader agreement is reached to avoid further conflict.

The proposal appears to be a limited step and is not expected to immediately clear the large number of ships waiting to pass through the strait.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) said it welcomed any measures that support safe navigation through the established traffic separation scheme, which has governed vessel movements in the strait for decades.

The proposal comes after weeks of disruption caused by the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which began on February 28.

Shipping activity through the strait, a key route handling around 20% of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas, has been severely impacted.

Hundreds of tankers and other vessels remain stuck in the Gulf, along with an estimated 20,000 seafarers.

A temporary ceasefire that took effect on April 8 has reduced immediate hostilities, with Donald Trump stating that the conflict is close to ending. However, control and security of the strait continue to be central issues in ongoing discussions.

Under the proposal, Iran would maintain authority over its territorial waters while refraining from interfering with ships transiting through the Omani side.

An Iranian official described the plan as a goodwill gesture aimed at reducing tensions, while expecting reciprocal flexibility from Washington.

It is not clear whether Iran would remove any mines that may have been placed in the area, or whether all ships, including those linked to Israel, would be allowed to pass safely.

The proposal also depends on whether the United States agrees to Iran’s conditions. There has been no official response from the White House or Iran’s Foreign Ministry so far.

A Western security source said the idea of allowing ships to pass through Omani waters without interference had been under discussion, but it is not known if Washington has accepted it.

In recent weeks, Iran had suggested more aggressive measures, including charging ships for passing through the strait and claiming greater control over the waterway.

These ideas were strongly opposed by the global shipping industry, which said they would break international maritime rules.

Member countries of the International Maritime Organization also rejected the idea of charging tolls, warning that it could set a dangerous example.

The current shipping system in the strait is based on a two-way traffic separation scheme introduced in 1968, which divides routes between Iranian and Omani waters. This system has been used for decades to manage vessel movements through the narrow passage.

The Strait of Hormuz is only about 34 kilometres wide at its narrowest point and connects the Gulf to the Indian Ocean. It is a key route not only for oil and gas, but also for other goods such as fertilisers.

The United States recently imposed a blockade on oil shipments from Iranian ports, and traffic through the strait has stayed limited since late February.

Reference: Reuters, Republic World