First Meeting of the Iran-Oman Joint Committee for Strait of Hormuz Management

On June 29, 2026, high-ranking diplomatic officials from the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman gathered in Muscat to address the management and security of the Strait of Hormuz specifically for the first time within the framework of the "Joint Hormuz Committee" [1]. The meeting, chaired by Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, and Abdulaziz Al-Hinai, Oman's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, marks a turning point in bilateral cooperation to stabilize the region [3].

Details of the Historic Meeting in Muscat During the meeting, both parties reviewed current issues regarding the Strait of Hormuz and exchanged views on the future management of this waterway within the framework of international law and the sovereign rights of coastal states [2]. Gharibabadi announced in a post on social media platform X that the discussions focused on operational and technical coordination to ensure safe passage. This committee was formed after Tehran and Muscat agreed in early June to deepen consultations on navigation and maritime services [4].

The Islamabad Memorandum and the Controversial Clause 5 A primary focus of the meeting was the review of implementation mechanisms for "Clause 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" [1]. This memorandum, recently signed between Iran and the United States with Pakistan's mediation to end regional conflicts, includes arrangements for the safe passage of commercial vessels. Under this clause, Iran has committed to making its utmost efforts to secure maritime routes while emphasizing its sovereign rights over territorial waters [5]. Iranian officials clarified during the meeting that any credible framework for maritime security must be based on coordination with Iran as the primary coastal state [4].

Oman's Mediatory Role and Energy Security The Sultanate of Oman, which has consistently served as a bridge in regional diplomacy, emphasized the necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open as a vital artery for the global economy [3]. Given that approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes through this strait, stability in this region is critical for global energy markets. The meeting took place amid reports of parallel routes being established along the Omani coast to facilitate traffic, but Iran emphasized that unified and coordinated management is the only way to guarantee sustainable security [5].

Future Outlook and Maritime Service Costs At the conclusion of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue dialogues to precisely determine maritime service costs and technical ship traffic management [2]. The results of this meeting are expected to lead to a reduction in the presence of extra-regional forces, replacing it with an indigenous security system involving coastal nations. The next round of committee talks is scheduled to be held in Tehran in the near future to operationalize further technical details of the Islamabad Memorandum [1].