Iran warned it would block ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz that deviate from routes it has designated, moving to tighten control over the waterway.
On the 29th (local time), according to Iranian state TV, Iran Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi said, "Even if Oman does not cooperate in establishing a management system for the Strait of Hormuz, Iran will independently push ahead with the related work."
However, the Vice Minister said, "We have confirmed Oman's willingness to cooperate," adding that experts from the two countries plan to start related talks within the next few days.
Vice Minister Gharibabadi, regarding the shipping lane in the Strait of Hormuz, said, "Iran has conveyed to Oman that the lane must be rerouting, and there will be technical discussions on this."
He went on to stress, "We oppose and will block the passage through the Strait of Hormuz of ships that use routes not designated by Iran."
Article 5 of the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end hostilities includes the provision, "Iran will do its utmost to ensure the safe passage of merchant vessels."
On that basis, Iran claims that the authority to manage the Strait of Hormuz lies with it. It also takes the position that, after the 60-day follow-up talks with the United States conclude, it may impose fees under the name of navigation services on ships transiting the strait.
Accordingly, Iran argues that merchant vessels should use routes it has designated instead of the Oman coastal route backed by the United States.
The United States, by contrast, maintains that under customary international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the right of transit passage must be guaranteed in international straits such as the Strait of Hormuz.
Meanwhile, Oman, another littoral state of the Strait of Hormuz, takes the position that it will not levy any tolls on ships transiting the strait.