Iran Pushes for Hormuz Control as Shipping Tensions Escalate
ISW and CTP report Iran is escalating attempts to control the Strait of Hormuz through attacks and warnings to ships, including an IRGC Navy strike near Oman, pressuring vessels to use Iran’s traffic scheme and aiming to undermine international safe-passage efforts. The United States and GCC issued a joint statement rejecting tolls or any control of the strait, while Gulf states resist Iranian incentives such as proposed fees that could generate tens of billions annually. The IMO-Oman safe-route initiative challenges Iran’s leverage, and most ships have continued to use alternative routes. Diplomatic channels with Oman and broader US–Iran talks continue, with no clear concessions from Gulf states yet.,”
