UN-backed plan to free ships trapped in strait of Hormuz rejected by Iran | Strait of Hormuz

Iran has rejected UN-backed plans for a mass evacuation of ships from the Strait of Hormuz, posing a new threat to the free passage of commercial ships through the strait.

The Oman-backed proposal was potentially the first phase of a broader Omani proposal to rely on voluntary fees and consult on the establishment of a new strait administration modeled on the Malacca and Singapore strait mechanism.

The intervention showed that Oman and Iran may have different visions of the strait, although they consulted each other to harmonize their plans.

Iran’s intervention also undermined Saudi Arabia’s efforts to hold a conference to normalize relations between Gulf states and Iran within the framework of a proposed new non-aggression pact.

Shipping through the strait has been steadily increasing since a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Iran and the United States last week. As part of the agreement, Tehran agreed that it would use its best efforts to restore full freedom of navigation in the strait and that no fees or tolls would be imposed for at least 60 days.

But the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Thursday rejected the coordinates of two new temporary ship evacuation lines announced by the UN International Maritime Organization together with Oman.

The pre-existing transit separation scheme (TSS) route is impassable due to mines. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has proposed two much more passable routes, one north of the TSS in Iran’s mined sovereign waters and the other south in Omani waters.

IMO and Oman had recommended that the evacuation of hundreds of ships, some of which have been stranded for months, should be coordinated with both organizations so that transit days and waiting areas can be allocated. The statement revealing the coordinates was given by Oman’s National Hydrographic Bureau, but from the negative reaction of the Revolutionary Guard it became clear that it did not have Iranian approval.

The Revolutionary Guard stated that alternative transit routes were “unacceptable and completely dangerous.”

“Traffic of ships other than official routes is prohibited and we warn against any traffic outside the specified routes,” the statement said.

The statement also emphasized that coordination with the Revolutionary Guard Navy is “imperative” for any passage through the strategic waterway.

The Strait has proven to be Iran’s key negotiating arm, and Iran does not want to weaken that arm as negotiations over US sanctions relief, asset relief and the future of its nuclear program are still ongoing.

Mohammad Galibaf, the speaker of Iran’s parliament and chief negotiator, said the chokepoint would not return to the state it was in before Feb. 28, the first combined US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Galibaf said, “Everyone should know that the management of the Strait of Hormuz will never return to its pre-war state.”

Lebanon, along with the strait, emerged as an obstacle to the US-Iran talks, which were planned to reach a permanent peace after 60 days of talks. Iran has demanded that Israeli troops withdraw from southern Lebanon, where they occupy more than 600 square kilometers.

Israeli and Lebanese officials on Thursday denied any Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon, pushing back on a US official who said Israel had recalled some troops as a goodwill gesture to the Lebanese government.

In recent weeks, Lebanon and Israel have been discussing a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops. The Lebanese army will take control of the evacuated areas to prevent Hezbollah from re-entering and destroy facilities belonging to the armed group.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer said on Thursday that any “redeployment” of the Israeli army to southern Lebanon would only occur after Hezbollah is disarmed. The day before, the Israeli defense minister said that Israel would not withdraw from Lebanon.

Israel’s bombing of Lebanon has repeatedly stymied US-Iran negotiations; A flare-up in hostilities last week led Iran to threaten to close the strait.

A weekend ceasefire largely halted fighting in Lebanon, but Israeli troops continued to launch airstrikes and shoot at cars near areas they occupied in southern Lebanon. Three people were killed in an Israeli drone attack on a car in southern Lebanon on Thursday.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters in Bahrain on Thursday that Israel and Lebanon are making progress in their negotiations, saying the two countries are “very close” to a commitment of intent.

Since the conflict in Lebanon has calmed down, diplomatic attention has again turned to the Strait of Hormuz.

In their joint statement, the foreign ministries of Iran and Oman agreed to establish a working group on the future management of the Bosphorus.

But Oman wants any proposals to comply with Article 43 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Oman also believes that cooperation with the IMO humanitarian rescue mission increases the likelihood of agreeing on a new long-term system.

Gulf states and western countries are warning Iran and Oman not to try to impose fees for services or tolls, insisting it would violate basic principles of maritime law.

Oman, unlike Iran, is a full signatory of the UNCLOS treaty enshrining the law of the sea and insists its plan is aimed only at voluntary contributions linked to environmental and security services.

Several diplomats have traveled to Muscat in recent days to hear Oman’s thoughts and whether it believes Iran’s plans are legal or desirable.

Tanker Trackers estimates that Iran has exported 40 million barrels of crude oil since June 15, half of which was delivered on Friday last week.

Arab States, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, strongly oppose the toll, but some Saudi diplomats appear open to paying the fee as long as it can be proven that it is legal and not extortion.