Will Oman jointly manage the Strait with Iran?

Reported talks and what was said

It has been reported that Iran and Oman are drafting a joint agreement to secure post‑war navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, according to Tasnim News Agency. Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi reportedly said the framework would require vessels to coordinate with both Iranian and Omani authorities and obtain applicable clearances, and that environmental protection and maritime safety are central elements. Oman’s foreign minister Badr bin Hamad al‑Busaidi had earlier signalled similar intent on X, saying Muscat is stepping up efforts to put in place safe‑passage arrangements as the region confronts the fallout of the conflict.

Why Oman might agree

The move fits Oman’s long‑standing role as a regional intermediary. Muscat practices an independent, Ibadi‑influenced diplomacy that allows it to liaise with both Sunni Gulf states and Shiite Iran, and it has cooperated with Tehran on energy and security projects in the past. According to Huxiu, Oman’s hydrocarbon endowment is modest—roughly 5.4 billion barrels of oil and about 0.7 trillion cubic metres of gas—and its economy is under pressure to diversify; green hydrogen projects at Duqm and Salalah and newer mining ventures have yet to replace fossil‑fuel income. Shared transit fees or a formal role in managing the strait would therefore be economically attractive for a state with limited reserves and a heavy fiscal burden.

Stakes and likely obstacles

If true, the proposal would reshape a vital chokepoint that handles a large share of global energy shipments. But there are hard geopolitical and legal questions: how would coordination with Iran sit with US and EU sanctions regimes, and how would Western navies—long active in the Gulf—respond to a bilateral Omani‑Iranian governance model? Could a Muscat‑Tehran arrangement reduce incidents and build confidence, or would it complicate sanction enforcement and alarm Gulf Arab partners and Washington? Reportedly, drafting is in late stages, but formal negotiations have not begun; much will depend on how Gulf states, the United States and international shipping companies assess the security, legal and commercial implications.