Unclear when talks will resume after clashes as Iran says $6B in frozen assets to be released

Iranian and Omani officials have met for the first time to discuss management of the Strait of Hormuz, after appearing to disagree last week on tolls and routes through the vital waterway going forward.

Both countries have claimed sovereignty over the strait. 

“During a trip to Muscat, the first meeting of the Joint Hormuz Committee was held,” said Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi on X, without saying when it happened.

“While reviewing the current issues related to the strait, we exchanged views on the future management,” he added.

The future of the strait, which is a vital route for the world’s supply of oil and gas, has been a major point of contention between the U.S. and Iran.

Iran has said it might impose “services fees” on ships passing through the channel, which the U.S. opposes, saying the strait is an international waterway.

Oman has given mixed messages on its position. Last Tuesday it released a joint statement with Iran saying they were looking into the costs relating to managing the strait, then later said that no “passage fees” were planned and that a “temporary maritime corridor” would be opened in coordination with the UN. 

Iran responded by saying the only authorized route was a corridor close to its coastline.

The U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding says that “Iran will engage in a dialogue with the Sultanate of Oman to define the future administration and maritime services in the Strait of Hormuz, in consultation with other Persian Gulf littoral states, in accordance with applicable international law and the sovereign rights of the coastal states of the Strait of Hormuz.”

The text says the strait is to be toll-free “for 60 days only” after the signing of the deal.