Maritime safety and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz were the main focus of a meeting between Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. The meeting was held as part of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly.
The two sides highlighted the importance of steps supporting safe navigation in the strait, saying they would contribute to the continuation of international trade and energy shipments. Efforts to resolve some disputes in regional relations, as well as current developments in the Middle East and the Gulf, were also discussed.
Seeking diplomatic solutions to regional issues
The two ministers said diplomatic engagement and contacts should continue to build confidence and achieve consensus-based solutions. The meeting also emphasized the need to develop viable approaches to ongoing problems and to take the interests of all sides into account in any solutions reached.
The two sides stressed that this approach should contribute to supporting security and stability in the region.
Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz
The meeting took place amid continued tensions over navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most important maritime passages for oil transportation and international trade.
Oman and Iran held talks in Muscat on July 11 on maritime safety and freedom of navigation in the strait. The two countries decided to continue political- and technical-level discussions to reach agreements ensuring safe and free navigation within the framework of international law.
Iran announced on September 7 that an agreement with Oman on a new passage route through the Strait of Hormuz would be signed within a few days. Despite this, disruptions to maritime traffic in the strait continued.
Ship-tracking data from September showed a sharp decline in vessel movements compared with levels before the war between the United States, Israel and Iran that began on February 28.
