Iran, Oman hold first joint committee meeting on strait of Hormuz in Muscat

Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced that the first meeting of the Iran-Oman Joint Committee on the Strait of Hormuz was held in the Omani capital, Muscat, marking a new phase in bilateral cooperation over the strategic waterway.

Gharibabadi traveled to Muscat for talks with Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, Oman’s Ambassador-at-Large at the Foreign Ministry, where the two sides reviewed key issues related to the management and governance of the Strait.

In a post on social media platform X, the Iranian diplomat described the session as the inaugural formal meeting of the bilateral committee.

He said discussions centered on current developments concerning the Strait of Hormuz, as well as future mechanisms for managing the waterway within the framework of Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding.

The two sides also exchanged views on the sovereign rights of coastal states and explored avenues for enhancing operational coordination regarding the strategically vital maritime passage.

The committee meeting comes amid heightened regional attention to the Strait of Hormuz following increased maritime restrictions introduced after the United States announced the continuation of naval measures targeting Iranian vessels and ports.

A Pakistan-mediated memorandum of understanding was recently concluded between Tehran and Washington with the stated aim of reducing tensions and ending the cycle of confrontation. Article 5 of the agreement reportedly recognizes Iran's sovereignty over the strategic chokepoint.

Following recent regional developments, Iran and Oman have intensified consultations on the future governance of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing the sovereign rights and responsibilities of littoral states in ensuring maritime security and stability.