Iran has reiterated its desire to control shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, raising market concerns ahead of new talks with the United States to end the conflict between the two countries.
Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Tehran wants to sign an agreement with Oman to manage maritime traffic in the strategic route. However, if Oman does not agree, Iran will exercise its own control over ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
He also stressed that Iran has informed Oman that no other country has the right to interfere in the matter. Iran also intends to establish a temporary transit route through the strait.
The stance shows that Iran does not intend to return to the situation before the conflict with the United States and Israel, when ships freely passed through the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions.
Under the interim peace deal signed earlier this month, Iran agreed not to charge tolls for 60 days, but did not rule out the possibility of charges after that period.
The issue is expected to be one of the main focuses of the talks scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar on Tuesday. The White House said President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner are expected to attend the talks.
Previously, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted that Washington would not accept any tolls or payments for the use of the Strait of Hormuz.
However, Iran has not yet confirmed its participation in the talks. Gharibabadi previously stated that although the US delegation will be in Doha, Iran does not plan to hold a direct meeting.
Instead, Iranian representatives will only discuss the implementation of an interim agreement through Qatar's mediation.
President Donald Trump refused to guarantee that the talks would succeed. He stressed that Washington's priority remains ensuring that Iran does not have nuclear weapons.
Iran's proposal to impose controls or payments in the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns among the United States, European countries and the Arab Gulf because it has the potential to increase shipping costs and global energy prices.
However, Iran's ability to fully control the passage may remain limited as long as the waterway on the Omani side remains open to international ships.
