Muscat, Oman – The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a high-level meeting on Sunday to discuss possible options for ensuring the “free flow of traffic” through the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most strategic waterway for energy trade. The strait has been under near-total closure by Tehran since the outbreak of the current conflict in the Middle East six weeks ago.
Diplomatic move to break the strait blockade
The official Oman News Agency reported that the meeting was held at the level of undersecretaries of the foreign ministries of both countries, with the participation of a select group of specialists and experts from both sides.
Discussions focused on exploring technical and security solutions and alternatives to ensure the resumption of maritime traffic or maintain a minimum level of passage for commercial vessels. This comes amidst the exceptional and tense circumstances currently affecting the region.
The agency noted that experts from both Oman and Iran presented a number of practical visions and proposals regarding transit mechanisms. These proposals aim to prevent direct military clashes or an escalation of the global energy crisis.
This Omani initiative comes within the framework of Muscat’s traditional role as a “trusted mediator” seeking to defuse crises between regional and international powers. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has caused severe disruption to global supply chains and a record surge in oil prices.
