Iran and Oman Form Joint Committee on Hormuz Passage Amid Easing Tensions

Key facts

• Iran and Oman have formed a joint committee to manage issues related to the Strait of Hormuz.
• Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the administration of the strait will remain with Tehran.
• Iran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) to manage transit through the strait.
• The US-Iran interim deal aims to return traffic to pre-war levels within 30 days.
• Iran agreed not to charge tolls for passage through the strait for an initial 60 days.
• Oman affirmed commitment to toll-free safe passage through the strait.

Iran and Oman have established a joint committee to address issues concerning the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a shift in its management and potential easing of regional tensions. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, Iran's Parliament Speaker, stated that the administration of the strait will permanently remain with Tehran, diverging from its pre-war status.

Tehran established the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA) in May to consolidate control over transit through the waterway. The PGSA has reportedly engaged with hundreds of vessels seeking permits for safe passage, sometimes involving a toll or fee. However, Iran has agreed not to charge tolls for passage for an initial 60-day period as part of a US-Iran interim deal.

This deal also calls for Tehran to ensure the movement of vessels between the Mideast Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, aiming to return traffic to pre-war levels by around July 18. Data indicates an increase in seaborne Iranian crude and oil product exports since mid-June, coinciding with the US lifting a blockade on Iranian ports.

Oman's foreign ministry confirmed the formation of a joint working group with Iran to agree on the future administration of navigation in the strait, including services and associated costs in line with international standards. Oman has affirmed its commitment to international law and toll-free safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz.