Oman Emphasizes Need to Maintain Free Navigation in Strait of Hormuz
Muscat: Oman’s Foreign Minister stated that his country does not support imposing any fees on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, although discussions on maritime service mechanisms continue. He emphasized that, according to existing agreements, the responsibility for mine clearance and ensuring the strait is free from explosive hazards lies with the Islamic Republic of Iran.
On Monday, Badr Al-Busaidi told Monte Carlo radio that any future arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz must be within the framework of international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. He said the purpose of consultations between Muscat and Tehran is to improve maritime services, enhance navigation safety, prepare for emergency situations, and address pollution, not to impose new costs on global trade.
He also expressed support for the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, adding that Oman continues its diplomatic contacts and efforts to guarantee freedom of navigation and achieve stability in this strategic passage. The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important energy transit routes in the world, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman.
Meanwhile, Kazem Gharibabadi, Deputy for Legal and International Affairs at Iran’s Foreign Ministry, announced the holding of the first joint Hormuz committee meeting in Muscat. He said that in this meeting, he and Abdulaziz Al Hinai, Oman’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, discussed the future management of the strait within the framework of Article 5 of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding and the sovereign rights of coastal states.
According to Article 5 of this memorandum, Iran is committed to ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels for a period of 60 days without fees from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa, employing maximum effort. The document stresses that, considering the need to remove technical and military obstacles and to carry out mine clearance operations by Iran, full ship traffic will be restored within 30 days. Future administration and maritime services of the strait will also be consulted with Oman and other coastal countries.
