Iran could gain control over ships entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz under a proposed agreement with Oman aimed at ending its five-month war with the United States, according to an Iranian source and two regional officials cited by Reuters.
The proposal would mark a major shift in control over one of the world’s most important energy routes, where shipping had previously been open to all vessels without fees. However, the sources cautioned that significant issues remain unresolved and pushed back against US President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a deal to reopen the strait was imminent.
One key disagreement is over how Iran’s proposed control would work, with Gulf negotiators seeking regional oversight of ship inspections and insisting any fees should be voluntary. The senior Iranian source said Tehran was seeking fees of between 5% and 7% of cargo values, while Oman was discussing around 3% and Washington wanted no fees.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said talks with Oman had “reached fundamental understandings” and that the progress was “on the verge of being finalised”.
The proposed arrangement would see commercial vessels pass through Iranian territorial waters on both inbound and outbound journeys. However, the two sides have yet to settle the extent of Iran’s authority over ships travelling in each direction.
Iran has also warned Gulf states that any fresh US attack on its territory would trigger retaliation against critical energy infrastructure across the region.
Trump, meanwhile, has said he prefers diplomacy, saying: “I’d rather make a deal because I don’t want to kill people. I do not want to kill people, but at some point we’re gonna.”
