Iran-Oman Strait of Hormuz Talks Collapse Amid US Pressure

Negotiations in Muscat between Iran and Oman on a joint management framework for the Strait of Hormuz failed after the United States pressured Oman to reject the proposal. The United States warned that any bilateral arrangement that deviates from the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea would be unacceptable, and its stance is seen as reducing the likelihood of a near‑term US‑Iran diplomatic meeting.

Iran considers control of the strait a vital strategic lever and has rejected all alternatives that would diminish its authority. Oman offered two possible corridors – a southern route through Omani territorial waters with unrestricted passage and a northern route through Iranian waters requiring prior Iranian approval. Iranian officials, including senior IRGC commander Mohsen Rezaei, described the strait as “more important than dozens of nuclear bombs” and warned they would not tolerate vessels that bypass Iranian control. The IRGC has continued limited attacks on commercial ships, while the US Central Command has responded with strikes on over 140 Iranian military sites to curb Tehran’s ability to threaten maritime traffic.