Oman proposes regional plan to manage Strait of Hormuz, source says

Oman has presented Iran with a proposal to establish a joint regional mechanism for managing the Strait of Hormuz, aiming to ensure the security of one of the world's most strategically important shipping routes, British media reported, citing a Gulf source.

According to the source, the Omani proposal has regional backing and would see the Strait managed collectively rather than remaining under Iran's sole control. The plan envisages a voluntary funding system modelled on the Strait of Malacca, where users contribute to the costs of navigation, environmental protection, and search-and-rescue operations.

The initiative comes after the United States suspended its air campaign against Iran over the weekend, raising hopes that diplomacy could help restore normal shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handled around one-fifth of global energy supplies before the recent conflict.

Speaking on Monday, US President Donald Trump said Washington was making progress in its contacts with Tehran.

"We're having good talks," Trump said, adding there was "a chance of a deal", while warning that US strikes would resume if negotiations failed to produce results.

The future of the Strait was also discussed during talks on Monday between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi and his Omani and Saudi counterparts.

According to a statement from Iran's foreign ministry, Araqchi stressed the importance of regional coordination.

"He emphasised the need to strengthen cooperation and advance ⁠joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region, and lift the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz ⁠due to the aggressive actions of the United States," the ministry said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev