Iran said it is drafting a proposal with Oman to “monitor” the Strait of Hormuz, as tensions in the region continue to rise and concerns grow over maritime security.The Iranian Islamic Republic News Agency quoted Iranian diplomat Kazem Gharibabadi as saying that the proposal “aims to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships passing through this route.”
However, details of the plan remain unclear, and Oman has not publicly acknowledged the proposal.The Strait of Hormuz, a vital passage for global oil shipments, lies between Iranian and Omani territorial waters but is internationally recognized as a route allowing the free passage of ships.This development comes amid escalating tensions and allegations of shipping disruptions in the region. Iran has been accused of targeting ships and is said to be demanding payments of up to US$2 million for safe passage through the narrow waterway, raising concerns about potentially stifling maritime trade.Gharibabadi touched on the situation and linked the proposal to the circumstances of the ongoing conflict, saying: “It is natural that when we face an aggressive act, navigation faces serious problems, and this is the result of the aggressive act.”He added: “We are currently in a state of war and we cannot expect pre-war rules to govern the conditions of war.”These statements indicate a potential shift in the way Iran views maritime operations in the region, with implications for global energy supply routes and international shipping standards.
