Iran Proposes Free Transit Through Omani Strait of Hormuz

Iran has proposed allowing commercial vessels to transit freely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without risk of attack, as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States aimed at preventing a renewed military confrontation. The offer, floated during talks to resolve tensions over the vital waterway, comes amid a fragile two-week ceasefire that began on April 8, following a conflict that erupted on February 28.

According to a source briefed by Tehran, the proposal would revive the longstanding dual-lane passage system in the strait, enabling ships to use the Omani corridor without interference from Iranian forces. This represents a shift from Tehran's earlier suggestions, such as imposing tolls on transiting vessels or asserting broader control over the route, ideas that drew widespread international criticism. The United Nations' International Maritime Organization has warned that such tolls would violate principles of free passage through international straits and set a dangerous precedent, a stance echoed by member nations during recent meetings in London.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow 34-kilometer-wide channel between Iran and Oman connecting the Persian...