Iran seeks control over Hormuz shipping as Oman talks reshape Gulf access

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Iran and Oman are discussing an arrangement that could give Tehran control over commercial ships entering the Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, potentially changing how vessels access one of the world’s most important energy shipping corridors after five months of war between Iran and the United States.

The proposal would require both inbound and outbound commercial traffic to pass through Iranian territorial waters, according to Iranian officials. Tehran is also seeking fees equivalent to between 5% and 7% of cargo values, while Oman has discussed charges of around 3%.

Significant details remain unresolved. Regional officials said Gulf negotiators want regional countries involved in supervising vessel inspections and any transit fees to remain voluntary. Washington has previously opposed Iranian control of access through the strait and wants shipping to remain free of charges.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said talks with Oman had reached “fundamental understandings” and were close to being finalised.

The proposed arrangement is designed so commercial vessels would use Iranian territorial waters on both inbound and outbound voyages, he said.

A senior Iranian source said the text currently under discussion would give Iran control over vessels entering the Gulf. Negotiations are continuing over what authority Tehran would have over ships leaving the region.

That distinction matters for tanker operators, container carriers and other commercial shipping interests. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, making it a critical route for oil and liquefied natural gas exports from Gulf producers.

Before the conflict began on February 28, vessels could transit the strait without paying Iran or Oman for passage. A system involving inspections, permissions or cargo linked charges would therefore represent a major operational change.

For a tanker carrying a high value crude cargo, a fee calculated as a percentage of cargo value could become a substantial voyage cost. The precise structure, enforcement mechanism and vessels that would be covered have yet to be agreed.

The negotiations come as Iran has warned Gulf states that another U.S. attack on Iranian infrastructure could trigger strikes against energy facilities and other targets across the region, according to sources familiar with the warning.

Iran has already used missiles and drones against U.S. allies during the conflict and has targeted commercial vessels attempting to transit Hormuz without Iranian permission.

The security situation has consequently increased the importance of any agreement defining navigation rights through the waterway. Shipowners, charterers and insurers would need clarity on inspection requirements, transit permissions and potential fees before normal commercial traffic could resume with greater certainty.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said an agreement reopening the strait is approaching, while publicly stating a preference for a negotiated settlement.

There was no immediate U.S. response to the latest Iran Oman proposal. U.S. officials have previously maintained that Washington would not accept Iranian control over access to the Gulf.

Iran has linked reopening the strait to U.S. compliance with a memorandum of understanding reached in mid June that called for an immediate cessation of military operations.

Gharibabadi said Iran had received messages indicating that the United States was prepared to return to those commitments, although he said no direct talks with Washington had taken place recently.

The wider conflict has killed more than 3,400 people in Iran since U.S. and Israeli military operations began on February 28, according to Iranian figures. The United States has reported 18 military personnel killed.

Regional officials cautioned that an agreement on Hormuz was not yet imminent. Negotiators still need to determine how Iranian control would operate, who would supervise vessel inspections, whether transit charges would be mandatory, and how authority would be divided between Iran and Oman.