Think Tank Proposes Joint Iran-Gulf State Management of Strait of Hormuz

A proposal from the Bruce and Bazr Foundation, a London-based think tank, suggests a joint management model for the Strait of Hormuz, involving Iran and its Gulf neighbors. This initiative aims to prevent disruptions to global trade, which have been exacerbated by tensions and potential conflict in the vital waterway. The plan envisions the strait as a regional public good, with a nominal toll for maintenance and safety, drawing inspiration from historical European cooperation models.

The foundation's proposal is modeled after the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), established after World War II. The ECSC facilitated joint production of coal and steel, key components for warfare, between former rivals France and Germany. This collaboration, according to former French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman, made future conflict "unthinkable and materially impossible." The think tank believes a similar framework could foster peace in the Persian Gulf by aligning the interests of all eight littoral states in maintaining stability.

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Imposing a nominal fee for maritime safety and environmental services will be an indicator of lasting regional peace.

However, significant obstacles stand in the way of such a plan. Deep-seated historical conflicts and differing political agendas among the Gulf states pose a major challenge. Furthermore, the United States' policy objectives in the region remain unclear, adding another layer of complexity. Military solutions to secure the strait, such as mine-clearing operations or naval escorts, are deemed risky and potentially costly in terms of human lives, as demonstrated by past U.S. naval engagements during the Iran-Iraq War.

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If we can't build this basic cooperative relationship, we won't be able to solve bigger challenges.

The think tank argues that a joint management body could be empowered to distribute revenues, similar to how ports like Jebel Ali in Dubai already charge service fees. The proposal targets the approximately 600 ultra-large crude carriers that transit the strait annually, suggesting a small, manageable surcharge. This approach, they contend, would be minimally burdensome for shipping companies and could help mitigate environmental damage, as tankers are a significant source of pollution.

The core question remains whether both the U.S. and Iran would agree to such a proposal. Analysts point to the lack of a clear U.S. policy objective as a primary impediment. While the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states share common interests in areas like industrialization, they have historically been divided on political actions, making a unified approach to managing the Strait of Hormuz a difficult prospect.

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The calculations so far that the strait could be reopened have proven impossible.