Oman has drafted a proposal to manage maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz using two separately controlled navigation corridors, according to a source familiar with the discussions. The draft agreement is not yet finalized. Under the proposal, both corridors would remain open to shipping.
The plan outlines a “Southern Corridor” that runs through Omani territorial waters. It would allow vessels to navigate without restrictions, described as operating under pre-war conditions. A second “Northern Corridor” would run through Iranian waters and would require prior authorization from Tehran before ships can transit.
The diplomatic effort follows heightened tensions in the region, including Iran’s stated intention to restrict shipping in the strait and subsequent US military strikes against Iranian targets after an attack on a commercial vessel. Multiple outlets report that the proposal is intended to reduce disruption to international navigation by clarifying transit arrangements through different national jurisdictions, while accommodating differing control mechanisms for each corridor.
