The government of Oman has presented a plan to Iran proposing a voluntary fee system for ships using the Strait of Hormuz [1].
This proposal aims to stabilize one of the world's most critical oil transit points by ensuring that no single nation maintains exclusive authority over the waterway. Because the strait links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, any disruption to traffic carries significant global economic risks.
Under the terms of the proposal, Iran would not exercise sole control over the strait [1]. Instead, the plan suggests a framework where fees for using the waterway would be voluntary [1].
Oman and its supporting Gulf states modeled this approach after the system currently used in the Strait of Malacca [1]. The goal of the initiative is to manage maritime traffic effectively while preventing the imposition of unilateral restrictions on commercial passage [1].
The diplomatic push comes amid ongoing tensions regarding the security of the waterway. By introducing a multilateral fee structure, Oman seeks to create a cooperative environment that discourages the use of the strait as a geopolitical lever, a move intended to safeguard international shipping lanes.
Oman has sought the backing of other Gulf states to present a unified front to Tehran [1]. The proposal emphasizes a shift toward shared management and voluntary contributions to maintain the flow of global trade through the narrow passage [1].
“Iran would not exercise sole control over the strait”
This diplomatic maneuver by Oman represents an attempt to internationalize the management of the Strait of Hormuz. By proposing a voluntary fee system similar to the Strait of Malacca, Gulf states are attempting to create a legal and financial precedent that undermines any claim of exclusive Iranian sovereignty over the waterway, thereby reducing the risk of unilateral blockades.
