Iran Proposes Unilateral Control Over Hormuz Traffic, Threatens Closure

On July 28, Iran’s deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi told state television that Tehran had offered Oman a temporary traffic plan in which one shipping lane would run entirely through Iranian waters and a portion of the opposite lane would also be under Iranian control. The proposal rejects Oman’s earlier suggestion for an equal 50-percent split of the strait’s routes, which Iran says does not address its security concerns.

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it Reuters

Iran argues that the International Maritime Organization’s Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) is unusable because of the risk of mines, prompting the use of a northern route under Iranian supervision and a southern route along Oman's coast. The government cites a recent incident reported by the state broadcaster IRIB: on July 27, six vessels attempted an “illegal, unsafe” passage after switching off their navigation systems; five were redirected to the Persian Gulf while the sixth encountered an unspecified problem. Gharibabadi framed the stance as a national-security issue, warning that any third-country de-mining effort would be rejected.

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it Reuters

Gharibabadi emphasized that Iran will not recognize the southern navigation route even briefly and that the strait would stay closed if Oman rejects the proposal. He also asserted that Iran’s position is final and non-negotiable, rejecting any formula that does not give Tehran full control over at least one lane. The deputy foreign minister warned that any European warship approaching the strait could be treated as a legitimate target.

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it Reuters

• “This is for national security and not bullying because when the TSS was for 60 years in Omani waters, we didn't say anything,” — Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it

• “The Strait of Hormuz would remain closed ifOmanrejected Iran's proposal.” — Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it

• “This is our definitive position, and Iran will accept no other formula,” — Kazem Gharibabadi, deputy foreign minister

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it

These statements illustrate Tehran’s insistence on unilateral control as a condition for reopening the vital waterway.

Iran Says Strait of Hormuz Will Remain Closed If Oman Rejects Temporary Traffic Plan: how 22 outlets framed it