ISLAMABAD: Iran has proposed allowing ships to pass safely through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz as part of ongoing negotiations with the United States, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The proposal depends on whether Washington agrees to Tehranâs conditions.
The conflict has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies, with shipping traffic dropping sharply. Hundreds of vessels and around 20,000 seafarers remain stranded in the Gulf. Although a ceasefire began on April 8 and the war is reportedly nearing an end, control of the strait remains a central issue.
The source said Iran may permit unhindered passage through Omani waters but did not clarify whether mines would be removed or if all ships, including those linked to Israel, would be allowed through.
A Western security source confirmed the proposal has been under consideration, though it is unclear if the U.S. has responded. The Strait of Hormuz, only 34 km wide, is a key route for global energy supplies. The proposal signals a possible shift away from earlier Iranian ideas such as imposing transit fees or asserting control over the waterwayâmoves widely opposed internationally.
If implemented, the plan could help restore long-standing shipping arrangements in the strait, which have been in place for decades despite periodic tensions.
