Oman proposes joint control of Strait of Hormuz as mediators expect talks 'breakthrough'

Oman proposes joint control of Strait of Hormuz as mediators expect talks 'breakthrough'

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Tue, 07/28/2026 - 13:33

Gulf-backed plan for joint management of key waterway reportedly being considered by Trump as he meets with Netanyahu

Vessels in the Strait of Hormuz near the beach of Bandar Abbas, Iran, 27 July 2026 Razieh Poudat/ISNA/via WANA (Reuters)

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Oman has presented Iran with a proposal for joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, while mediators are reportedly expecting a "breakthrough" in peace talks following a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

According to two sources who spoke to Reuters, the Gulf-backed plan proposes a joint regional mechanism to manage the key waterway, with those using it paying voluntary fees to fund the cost of its maintenance. This will include funding to cover navigation, environmental protection and search and rescue services.

The proposal draws on the model of the Strait of Malacca, which lies between the Indian and Pacific Oceans, and is jointly managed by neighbouring states Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Prior to the conflict which erupted in February when the US launched its assault on Iran, a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Its management has emerged as a major sticking point in talks between Tehran and Washington to end the conflict.

The latest round of fighting began after a memorandum of understanding was signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in June.

The agreement granted Iran the authority to “make arrangements using its best efforts for the safe passage of commercial vessels”. Tehran then designated a commercial shipping corridor entirely within its territorial waters.

Three days after the deal was signed, on 20 June, the US-backed Joint Maritime Information Center announced that commercial vessels could transit the Strait of Hormuz under US guidance via the southern route, directly challenging Iran’s newly acquired leverage.

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Iran responded by targeting commercial vessels, prompting the US to strike Iranian targets in response.

Iran’s foreign ministry said in a statement that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi discussed the issue with his Omani and Saudi counterparts on Monday.

According to the statement, Araghchi “emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region, and lift the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz due to the aggressive actions of the United States”.

Meanwhile, The Times of Israel reports, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that mediators anticipate that Trump will deliver a decision on the proposal following a meeting with Netanyahu on Tuesday.

The sources said that mediators are expecting a “breakthrough” that could restore the MoU signed in June.

Over the weekend, US strikes on Iran ground to a halt following daily attacks for two weeks, raising hopes of a diplomatic solution. US Central Command confirmed on Saturday that it would maintain a naval blockade against Iran, and that the US military remains highly vigilant, focused, lethal, and ready.

Tehran has said it will stop retaliatory attacks on neighbouring Gulf countries, but warned that it will not leave any threat by the US "unanswered".

On Monday, Trump hailed “good talks” with Tehran, hinting at the possibility that a deal could be struck but warning that the attacks would resume if negotiations unravelled.

"I think there's a good chance that something could happen, ​and if it does, good, if it doesn't, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago," he said.

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