Iran and Oman hold first joint committee on Strait of Hormuz in Muscat

Iran and Oman convened the first meeting of a joint committee on the Strait of Hormuz in Muscat on Monday, focusing on maritime management and sovereign rights. Kazem Gharibabadi, an Iranian diplomat, traveled to the Omani capital for discussions with Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, the sultanate's ambassador-at-large at the Foreign Ministry.

Gharibabadi announced the meeting on the social media platform X, stating that it marked the first formal gathering of the bilateral body. "While reviewing current issues related to the strait, we exchanged views on the future management of the strait within the framework of Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding and the sovereign rights of coastal states," Gharibabadi said.

The discussions centered on operational coordination regarding the strategic waterway, which is a vital passage for global oil shipments. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and is a critical chokepoint for international energy trade.

According to the report by Mehr News, the meeting aimed to enhance cooperation between the two neighboring countries on issues related to the strait, including navigation safety and environmental protection. The establishment of this joint committee reflects ongoing efforts to manage shared maritime interests in the region.