Oman Proposes Dual Shipping Corridor Plan for Strait of Hormuz; Iran Seeks Further Review

Oman has put forward a proposal to establish two distinct maritime corridors in the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels. The plan, presented during talks in Muscat, involves a Southern Corridor within Omani waters offering unrestricted navigation and a Northern Corridor through Iranian waters that would necessitate prior approval from Tehran.

This initiative comes as regional tensions continue to impact navigation through the vital waterway. The proposal was discussed with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and officials from Qatar. However, Iran has not yet given its approval. According to reports, Araghchi and his delegation took the draft plan back to Tehran for further internal review.

With no final agreement reached, the Omani proposal remains under discussion. The plan seeks to provide a framework for navigation that balances regional security concerns with the need for unimpeded commercial traffic through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz.

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Under the draft plan, the Southern Corridor, located within Omani territorial waters, would remain open for unrestricted navigation under conditions similar to those before the recent regional tensions. The Northern Corridor, which passes through Iranian territorial waters, would require vessels to obtain prior approval from Tehran, although no transit fees would be imposed, according to the report.