Iran may offer to let ships exit Persian Gulf via Omani side of Strait of Hormuz

(Patria) - Iran could offer to allow ships free passage through the Omani side of the Strait of Hormuz without the risk of attack as part of a proposal in negotiations with the United States, a source informed from Tehran told Reuters on Wednesday.

The US-Israeli war against Iran has resulted in the biggest disruption of global oil and gas supplies ever due to Iran's disruption of traffic through the strait, which serves about a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas flows.
Hundreds of tankers and other ships and 20,000 sailors have been stranded in the Persian Gulf since the start of the war on February 28. A two-week ceasefire came into effect on April 8, and President Donald Trump said yesterday that the war was nearing its end, but that control over the Strait of Hormuz remained a key issue in the negotiations.

The report states that Iran might be willing to allow ships to use the other side of the narrow strait in Omani waters without any obstacles from Tehran. However, it further adds that the proposal depends on whether Washington is willing to meet Tehran's demands, which has been a key condition for any potential breakthrough with the Strait of Hormuz.

The source did not say whether Iran would also agree to remove any mines it may have laid in that part of the water or if all ships, even those linked to Israel, would be allowed free passage.

The strait, only 34 km wide, between Iran and Oman, allows passage from the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean and is a major route for energy supplies from the Middle East and other vital goods, including fertilizers.