Iran and Oman are discussing a possible meeting in the Strait of Hormuz — NYT
Iran is in talks with Oman regarding the possible introduction of fees for "services" in the Strait of Hormuz, despite denials from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
The New York Times reports this, citing sources familiar with the negotiations.
According to the publication, the very fact of such consultations may indicate that the U.S. and Iran remain far from resolving their tense relations, and the situation in the region remains highly unstable.
According to the NYT’s sources, Tehran is not considering introducing a direct fee for ships passing through the strait, but is discussing a mechanism for collecting fees for related “services” associated with shipping.
Some Iranian sources claim that Oman could use its diplomatic influence on countries in the region—including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the U.S.—to promote this initiative. According to them, the potential scheme could have a significant economic impact for the participants.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s key routes for transporting oil and gas, so any changes to shipping regulations traditionally cause concern for the U.S. and Gulf countries due to risks to global energy security.
Earlier, Iran announced a new “control” zone in the Persian Gulf, which, according to its version, partially covers the waters of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi sharply rejected these claims, calling them unrealistic and provocative. Against this backdrop, tensions in the region have noticeably risen again.
Trump is willing to wait a few more days for Iran to provide the right answer.
