Strait of Hormuz: Oman Calls for a New Security Architecture Including Iran

Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Al-Boussaïdi stated that the Basra Gulf region urgently needs a new security architecture, emphasizing that Iran must be included in this structure. Boussaïdi noted that for the establishment of a lasting peace to resolve current crises, it is essential for all regional actors to come to the table. Pointing out the devastating impacts of recent rising tensions on global trade and energy security, the Minister argued that stability cannot be achieved without cooperation. This call is interpreted as a diplomatic step that must be taken to prevent Gulf countries from being dragged into war. The official stated that the region is on the brink of a destructive conflict in which no country can emerge victorious, hence dialogue channels must be kept open until the end.

In the statement, which highlighted that the conflicts of the past period that dragged the region into chaos were a war that should never have happened, it was emphasized that the losses are difficult to compensate. Boussaïdi expressed that Gulf countries managed to survive this destructive process, but there are many lessons to be learned from it. Reminding that the economic, social, and humanitarian costs of war affect not only the region but the entire world, proactive diplomacy was made a precondition to prevent a new crisis from occurring. It was once again observed that Oman's neutral and constructive attitude played a vital role in building bridges between conflicting parties. The message was delivered that, to prevent similar crises from recurring in the future, diplomatic mechanisms based on mutual trust must be employed instead of military solutions.

Bringing up the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global trade and energy supply chains, concerns regarding the security of this waterway were also addressed. The safety of energy resources transported from the Basra Gulf to all parts of the world must be protected within the framework of international maritime rules, and no commercial ship should be subjected to arbitrary interference. Minister Al-Boussaïdi provided assessments regarding the redevans (fee/tax) practice, which has recently come to the agenda and is demanded from ships. Boussaïdi argued that such redevans demands could be considered legitimate if they comply with international law and maritime regulations, but this situation must be bound by clear and transparent rules. He delivered the message that while regional administrations defend their rights in their territorial waters, they should also avoid disrupting the flow of global trade.

Multifaceted crises continuing between regional powers and Western countries continue to bring the Strait of Hormuz to the global agenda. Oman's proposal for this new security architecture is considered an alternative to the military presence of the USA and its allies in the region. Gulf Cooperation Council countries are striving to avoid foreign interventions on the one hand, while making efforts to develop dialogue with Iran on the other. This situation is a concrete indicator of the regional countries' desire to take their security into their own initiative. Boussaïdi's statements reflect a diplomatic understanding that old systems based on military alliances should give way to a new era focused on inclusivity and economic cooperation.

How much Oman's mediation initiative will resonate in the future will be shaped depending on the responses given particularly by Iran and other global actors. In order to establish lasting peace in the region, it seems imperative for the parties to accelerate steps to build mutual trust. Furthermore, the idea that the security of maritime routes and possible redevans practices would be supervised by a joint commission to be established stands out as a crisis-prevention mechanism. Besides all this, diplomatic solution efforts are expected to target not a concrete military withdrawal in the short term, but economic integration in the long term. In summary, Boussaïdi's statements exhibit Oman's resolute vision that long-term stability can only be achieved through inclusive diplomacy and the rule of law.