Muscat – The Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran held a meeting at the level of undersecretaries in the foreign ministries of the two countries on Saturday, with participation of specialists from both sides.

The meeting reviewed possible options to ensure the smooth flow of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz amid the current regional crisis. Experts presented a number of options  and proposals in this regard.

Last week, Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported that Oman and Iran are drafting a protocol to “monitor transit” through the Strait of Hormuz, citing an official.

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, said tanker traffic through the key oil shipping route “should be supervised and coordinated” with the two countries, according to IRNA.

“Of course, these requirements will not mean restrictions, but rather to facilitate and ensure safe passage and provide better services to ships that pass through this route,” Gharibabadi was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said last week that the future of the Strait of Hormuz should be decided by Iran and Oman, describing the waterway as lying within the waters of the two countries.

“What arrangements are made (regarding the Strait of Hormuz) after the war is a matter for Iran and Oman,” Araghchi told a Qatari television channel.

He added that the strait “can be a waterway of peace” to ensure safe passage, but noted that maritime security and environmental protection would require a joint mechanism between the coastal states.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global shipping route. In peacetime, nearly 20% of the world’s crude oil and liquefied natural gas flows through the waterway.

The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, prompting Tehran to respond across the region and restrict access to the strait.

Araghchi said access is currently limited to vessels from countries not involved in the conflict.