Iran, Oman Agree to Form Joint Committee on Future Administration of Hormuz Strait

Iran and Oman have agreed to form a joint committee to discuss the future administration of the Strait of Hormuz, including shipping management, related services, and associated fees.

In a joint statement issued during the visit of Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abbas Araghchi to Muscat on Tuesday, Iran and Oman announced plans to continue consultations on the Strait of Hormuz through a newly established joint committee between their foreign ministries.

The agreement was reached during meetings between the Iranian delegation, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq of Oman, and Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr bin Hamad Al-Busaidi.

According to the statement, the committee will examine the future management of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, the services that may be provided in connection with maritime traffic, and the fees associated with those services in accordance with international standards.

The two countries also agreed to hold consultations with other coastal states in the region as well as relevant stakeholders on issues related to the strategic waterway.

“Iran and Oman, as the two littoral states of the Strait of Hormuz, reaffirm their commitment to ensuring safe passage through the waterway in accordance with international law,” the statement noted.

“All arrangements concerning the Strait of Hormuz must fully respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the two coastal states,” the statement added.

Oman reiterated its support for the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Iran and the United States and emphasized the importance of continued dialogue and coordination to ensure its successful implementation.

The two sides further emphasized the importance of continued cooperation to enhance maritime safety, freedom of navigation, and regional stability.

Last Sunday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the MoU had been finalized following a series of intensive negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

The MoU was signed digitally and remotely by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and US President Donald Trump in the early hours of Thursday.

High-level negotiations between Iran and the United States, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, were held in Switzerland on Sunday.

Senior officials from both sides participated, including Qalibaf and Araghchi for Iran, and US Vice President JD Vance along with special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

The two sides agreed to establish a high committee tasked with providing political oversight of the mediation process.

According to mediators, the High Committee agreed on a roadmap to reach a final agreement within 60 days, paving the way for the immediate launch of further technical talks.

In addition, a communication channel has been established between the parties for the period specified in Article 5 of the MoU, aimed at preventing incidents and misunderstandings and ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.