Iran Says Final Hormuz Proposal Requires Control of Key Shipping Lanes
Iran has outlined what it describes as its final proposal for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, insisting that any agreement must grant Tehran control over one of the strategic waterway’s main shipping lanes and partial authority over another.
Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the proposal had been presented to Oman, which has been involved in discussions aimed at restoring maritime transit through the vital global trade route.
Speaking on Iranian state television, Gharibabadi said Oman had suggested establishing a temporary navigation route that would replace the existing northern and southern shipping channels. Under the proposal, control of the route would be divided equally between Iran and Oman.
Tehran, however, rejected the arrangement, arguing that it does not adequately address Iran’s security and sovereignty concerns.
According to Gharibabadi, Iran’s position is that one shipping lane should remain entirely under Iranian control, while a portion of a second lane should also fall under Tehran’s authority. He described the proposal as Iran’s final position and said the country would not accept any alternative framework.
The deputy foreign minister also warned that if Oman declines the proposal, the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed. He added that Iran is prepared for the possibility of renewed regional tensions if negotiations fail.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most strategically important maritime chokepoints, serving as a critical route for global oil and gas exports. Any disruption to navigation through the waterway could have significant implications for international energy markets and regional security.
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