Muscat, Oman, April 5: Oman and Iran have initiated talks aimed at ensuring the continuous and secure flow of maritime traffic through the vital Strait of Hormuz, amidst the ongoing conflict in the region, which is now in its second month. The Omani Foreign Ministry announced on Sunday that the two nations held discussions on April 4, at the level of deputy foreign ministers, with experts from both sides contributing to the dialogue.
The statement issued by Oman’s Foreign Ministry highlighted the primary focus of the discussions: exploring measures to maintain the smooth flow of maritime transit through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy corridor responsible for a significant portion of the world’s energy shipments. The ministry's statement, shared on X (formerly Twitter), detailed that the talks aimed to assess options for ensuring uninterrupted maritime movement amid the current regional tensions.
“The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a meeting on April 4, 2026 CE, at the deputy ministers’ level, with the participation of specialists from both countries. The meeting addressed possible strategies to facilitate the continued flow of transit through the Strait of Hormuz, given the prevailing circumstances in the region,” the statement read.
Experts from both countries offered various proposals and perspectives to stabilize the maritime situation in the region, ensuring the safe and unhindered passage of vessels. These suggestions are expected to undergo further evaluation in the coming weeks.
In related news, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi revealed in a Sputnik interview that Iran is in the final stages of drafting a new navigation protocol for the Strait of Hormuz. This protocol, he noted, aims to establish a new regulatory framework for maritime traffic in the strategically important waterway. Once the draft is completed, discussions with Oman will begin to create a joint framework that both nations can agree on.
"We are almost done preparing the draft of this protocol. Once ready, we will initiate talks with Oman to establish a joint navigation framework," Gharibabadi stated during the interview. The proposed protocol is designed to ensure a collaborative and orderly management of the Strait, an essential maritime route for global energy trade.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is preparing to vote on a draft resolution next week proposed by Bahrain. The resolution seeks to authorize member states to take "all defensive means necessary" to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz in light of the escalating regional conflict. The proposal, which has sparked significant international debate, follows rising concerns over the safety of global shipping routes.
Bahrain, currently holding the rotating presidency of the Security Council, has been vocal in calling for a global response to protect maritime security. The country has faced criticism from Iran in recent weeks over its stance in the ongoing conflict. The draft resolution, which has been revised several times, aims to address the threat to maritime security in the region, with language that initially called for the use of force being softened following objections from Russia and China.
