Iran Asserts Dominance Over Strait of Hormuz With New Shipping Mandate

Iran has formally dismissed a proposal from Oman to establish a joint regional mechanism for managing shipping traffic through the critical Strait of Hormuz. Instead, Tehran has laid out a unilateral set of rules designed to significantly strengthen its operational control over the vital waterway.

Details of the New Navigation Rules

A senior Iranian official outlined the specifics of the new policy. Under the mandate, the entire inbound shipping lane—for vessels entering the Persian Gulf from the Arabian Sea—must fall exclusively within waters claimed by Iran.

For the outbound lane (from the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea), Iran is demanding that a segment of the route also pass through its controlled waters. This effectively ensures no vessel can transit the strait without entering Iran's sphere of influence.

Rejection of Joint Control and the "Share-Based" Principle

The Iranian official clarified Tehran's opposition to Oman's joint management proposal. Iran's stance is that authority over the strait must be determined strictly by geographical reality and each coastal state's share.

  • Control Proportional to Share: Iran argues that Oman's geographical share of the coastline is limited, and therefore its scope of control should correspond. Establishing an "equal-share" joint mechanism is viewed in Tehran as contrary to its national interests.
  • Excluding External Influence: The official stressed that decisions regarding the strait's management must be made solely by the two littoral states, Iran and Oman, based on their respective shares. Iran firmly rejects any attempt by outside countries or powers to sway this process.

Regional Rivalry and External Pressure

The report also sheds light on the complex regional rivalry surrounding control of the strait. According to the source, the United States and Saudi Arabia are actively lobbying Oman, applying diplomatic pressure to advance their own alternative plans for the Strait of Hormuz.

The Iranian official dismissed these external initiatives as "unrealistic" schemes, signaling that Tehran is unwilling to compromise on control of what it considers a core strategic waterway. This move is set to heighten regional tensions and poses a new challenge to the security and stability of a global oil trade chokepoint.