TEHRAN/MUSCAT: Iran has said any future arrangements governing shipping and maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz should be developed in consultation with Oman, arguing that both countries are coastal states of the strategic waterway.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said high-level talks were held in Muscat on Saturday, with political and technical-legal discussions focused on shipping security and the safe movement of commercial vessels through the strait.

The talks examined proposals in the context of international law, the sovereign rights of Iran and Oman, and understandings linked to recent diplomatic efforts over the waterway, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

Baghaei said Tehran’s position was that future frameworks for managing maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz should be shaped through consultation between Iran and Oman.

The two sides agreed to continue political and technical-legal consultations aimed at reaching a common understanding on shipping security and future navigation arrangements.

The discussions come amid renewed military tensions involving Iran and the United States, with security in the Strait of Hormuz again emerging as a major concern for global trade and energy markets.

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy routes. Any prolonged disruption to commercial shipping through the waterway could affect oil supplies, transport costs and global markets.

Iran said cooperation between coastal states and adherence to international law would be essential to securing maritime trade and developing any future framework for the strategic passage.

Why Strait of Hormuz Decisions Matter for Pakistan

Developments in the Strait of Hormuz carry direct economic and energy consequences for Pakistan. The country depends heavily on imported crude oil and petroleum products from Gulf suppliers, with a significant share of those shipments moving through the strategic waterway before reaching Pakistani ports.

Any prolonged disruption to shipping, or any change that raises freight and insurance costs, could increase pressure on domestic fuel prices, inflation and Pakistan’s import bill. Because energy imports already place a heavy burden on the economy, instability in the strait can quickly affect transport costs, electricity generation and the wider cost of living.

The Iran-Oman consultations are therefore important for Islamabad. Any future framework governing commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz could influence the reliability, security and cost of energy supplies reaching Pakistan.

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