Muscat – Oman has reiterated its commitment to maintaining free and secure navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, affirming that future arrangements concerning the strategic waterway will not involve the imposition of any transit fees.

The announcement was made by H E Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, during a joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States, held in the Kingdom of Bahrain on Thursday.

The Omani delegation was headed by H E Sayyid Badr, who joined fellow GCC foreign ministers, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the GCC Secretary-General in discussions on strengthening the strategic partnership between the two sides.

Addressing the meeting, H E Sayyid Badr stressed the importance of restoring and safeguarding freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical maritime trade routes. He noted that Oman, as a littoral state overlooking the strait, bears a special responsibility in supporting international efforts aimed at securing maritime navigation in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He emphasised that ensuring the uninterrupted flow of maritime traffic through the strait is vital for regional and global economic stability, adding that any future arrangements related to the waterway would not include the imposition of transit charges.

The ministers also reviewed prospects for enhancing cooperation in economic, security and defence fields, with the aim of promoting lasting peace and prosperity and reinforcing regional stability.

The meeting further discussed the latest developments in the Gulf and the Middle East, with participants underlining the need to intensify diplomatic efforts to achieve peaceful and sustainable solutions to regional challenges. They also reaffirmed the importance of respecting international law, state sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs as key principles for promoting security, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourly relations.