Oman’s top diplomat to visit Iran to discuss Hormuz Strait

Oman's top diplomat, Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi, is set to visit Iran on Tuesday to discuss regulating the passage of ships through the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as reported by Iran's foreign ministry. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral cooperation and address regional security concerns, according to Esmaeil Baqaei, a spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry.

In a statement, Baqaei outlined that al-Busaidi will engage in ongoing political consultations alongside Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The discussions will focus on bilateral and regional issues, highlighting the importance of fostering ties between the two countries.

Iran, which controls the Strait of Hormuz since the onset of the Middle East conflict on February 28, imposes vessel permissions and transit fees for passage through the waterway. The United States advocates for restoring pre-war free navigation, while US President Donald Trump asserts total control over the strait, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and LNG exports transited prior to the war.

Although Oman and Iran have been engaged in talks to establish a new route through the strait, the only entrance to the Gulf separating the two nations, a finalized deal remains elusive. Tehran, however, maintains that even successful talks would not automatically open the waterway unless the US addresses Iran's broader demands, including the lifting of its blockade on Iranian ports.