Iran considers drafting agreement with Oman on control over Hormuz Strait

Iran may draft an agreement with Oman on control over the Hormuz Strait, although the Islamic Republic considers the Sultanate only 'a part, not the foundation' of the plan to control this maritime route, stated Ebrahim Azizi, head of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of the Iranian Parliament.

Earlier on Wednesday, Oman's Minister of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology, Said al-Mawali, stated that the passage of ships through the Hormuz Strait should not be subject to fees in accordance with maritime navigation agreements, as the strait is a natural maritime route. He also noted that certain countries, including the United States and Iran, have not signed maritime navigation agreements, creating a legal gap on this issue.

'The government may, in continuation of (the plan to control the Hormuz Strait - ed.), if necessary, draft an agreement with the government of Oman, and the parliament will vote for its (adoption - ed.)… We consider (Oman - ed.) a part of this plan, not the foundation. We are not going to ask Oman for its opinion on our views regarding the Hormuz Strait,' Azizi was quoted as saying by Iran's state broadcaster.

Earlier, the Associated Press, citing sources in the Islamic Republic, reported that Iran and Oman would charge fees for the passage of ships through the Hormuz Strait. Later, Western media reported that the fee would allegedly be charged in cryptocurrency.

US President Donald Trump, on the night of April 8, announced reaching an agreement with Iran on a two-week ceasefire. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi later announced the opening of the Hormuz Strait, which accounts for about 20% of global supplies of oil, petroleum products, and LNG.

Source: RIA Novosti