Iran is jealously competing with Oman as decision-maker over strait of Hormuz

Tehran believes it should control the shipping route but its neighbour has its own plans for reopening it

The strait of Hormuz is Iran’s chief bargaining tool in the negotiations with America and so it was always likely to be the greatest point of contention. Every metre of the 39-kilometre-wide waterway is being contested in a test of wills and patience.

For Iran, the continuation of the dispute is not a problem so long as it does not lose control.
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