Iran has criticised Oman following Muscat’s announcement of a southern navigation corridor through the Strait of Hormuz, accusing it of failing to coordinate with Tehran on arrangements for maritime transit.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said at a press conference that Tehran had sought to establish, in coordination with Oman, a mechanism to ensure the safe passage of ships through the strategic waterway.
“Our efforts were based on reaching, in coordination with Oman, a mechanism to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baghaei said, adding that Iran regretted that such an arrangement had not been achieved and alleging that US pressure had influenced Oman’s position.
Baghaei said Iran had expected “the necessary cooperation” from Oman to safeguard the security and sovereignty of the two countries bordering the strait.
According to Iranian officials, Tehran considers itself responsible for managing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz under its interpretation of the memorandum of understanding with the United States and maintains that it has the authority to designate approved shipping routes.
Oman’s announcement that vessels could use a southern corridor within Omani territorial waters prompted criticism from Tehran.
According to the report, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that it could take action against vessels using routes outside those designated by Iranian authorities. The reported routes pass north and south of Larak Island, located near the Strait of Hormuz.
Oman has not publicly responded to Iran’s latest criticism.
