• Oman and Iran are deepening talks on a joint framework for managing the Strait of Hormuz, including potential transit fees or cost-sharing mechanisms.
  • The discussions involve multiple levels of government and aim to establish a cooperative protocol to ensure safe passage while respecting coastal state sovereignty.
  • The absence of Saudi Arabia from some talks highlights shifting regional dynamics and could complicate any eventual agreement.

Oman and Iran have signaled they will hold further talks with coastal countries and any concerned parties regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz, according to people familiar with the matter. The discussions, which have involved deputy ministers and foreign ministers, focus on establishing a cooperative framework for governance, security, and practical arrangements to ensure uninterrupted energy flows through the critical chokepoint.

Talks have centered on potential transit fees or cost-sharing for ships passing through the strait, marking a possible shift toward monetized access among regional stakeholders, the people said. The framework would aim to rebalance transit control among littoral states while avoiding escalation with external actors.

“The goal is to create a predictable system that safeguards navigation and respects the sovereignty of coastal states,” one official involved in the talks said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions are private. Reached for comment, a spokesperson for Oman’s Foreign Ministry declined to elaborate, while Iran’s mission to the United Nations did not respond to a request for comment.

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments, with about one-fifth of the world’s petroleum passing through it. Any agreed fees or routing rules could influence shipping costs and risk premiums for crude and refined product deliveries, with potential ripple effects on energy markets and benchmark prices if implemented.

Notably, Saudi Arabia’s absence from some of the discussions has been highlighted in regional commentary, underscoring evolving multilateral dynamics in the Gulf. Analysts are watching whether Oman and Iran can translate the talks into enforceable norms and how Saudi Arabia’s involvement — or lack thereof — will affect the broader Gulf security architecture.

The dialogue occurs amid broader security concerns, external pressures on shipping routes, and ongoing debates about sovereignty and freedom of navigation. Past episodes have shown that technical talks can evolve into legally binding frameworks, but progress hinges on regional security dynamics.

Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the number of countries involved in the initial talks. The discussions have included multiple coastal states.