Iran and Oman jointly control Strait of Hormuz, says envoy

Iran and Oman jointly control the Strait of Hormuz and collect transit fees from passing ships, according to Tehran’s Ambassador to Moscow, Kazem Jalali. He made the remarks on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) in an interview with TASS.

"As for the Strait of Hormuz, we and our Omani partners make decisions regarding the waterway," Jalali said. "We would like to facilitate passage through the strait but we certainly need to exercise sovereignty over it. Naturally, we charge a fee for our services. However, this does not mean we want to close the strait." He added that Iran seeks to ensure safe navigation through the strait.

The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically vital waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Indian Ocean. Approximately one-fifth of the world's oil passes through it, making its security a global concern. Iran and Oman have historically coordinated on maritime issues in the region.

Jalali also addressed ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States. When asked if talks are still taking place, he responded, "I think so, yes, they are taking place." However, he declined to specify the current stage of discussions, stating, "To be honest, I don’t have any information yet. There is no news yet on what stage they are at."

The comments come amid heightened tensions between Iran and the US over various issues, including Iran's nuclear program and regional activities. The Strait of Hormuz has been a flashpoint in past confrontations, with Iran threatening to disrupt oil shipments in response to sanctions.

According to Mehr News Agency, the interview was conducted during the SPIEF, a major international economic forum held annually in Russia. The report did not provide further details on the nature of Iran-Oman cooperation in the strait or the specific fees charged.