Iran has rejected Oman’s proposal for a regional framework to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz, saying the plan had little chance of success, Reuters reported, citing a senior Iranian official. The official said Iran and Oman should manage the strategic waterway based on the areas under their respective control, and that no other power should intervene. He said Tehran respects Oman as a “valued neighbour and mediator”, but added that an agreement under which the two countries would share control of the strait equally on a 50-50 basis would not serve Iran’s interests. The Iranian official said Oman should oversee the sections of the Strait of Hormuz that fall within its territorial waters. He also claimed that southern routes passing through Omani waters could pose risks to maritime traffic. A US official had earlier accused Iran of making excessive demands regarding the strait, saying Washington, Oman and the international community would not accept such demands. The US official added that any agreement currently under discussion would focus only on coordination between the parties and would not include transit fees or any other charges.
