Amidst escalating U.S.-Iran tensions, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi reiterated Muscat’s steadfast commitment to international maritime law and unhindered transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Monday, the minister emphasized that any prospective navigation agreements with Tehran must guarantee safe and unconditioned passage.
Oman is pushing back against proposed shipping fees in the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi reaffirmed Muscat’s commitment to securing safe, unhindered passage through the vital waterway amid spiking U.S.-Iran friction. Though Oman is collaborating with Iran to shape future transit rules, the minister emphasized that international law remains non-negotiable.
“All understandings regarding the strait must remain within the framework of international law,” al-Busaidi said. “We are committed to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and there is agreement with Iran that any arrangement will not fall outside it. Oman does not support imposing fees on ships passing through the strait, while remaining committed to the rules of international law.”
What’s holding up a final U.S.-Iran peace deal?
As diplomatic efforts stall, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Monday that France and Oman are coordinating regional de-escalation efforts, specifically targeting naval threats in the Strait of Hormuz.
“We have decided to collaborate, in conjunction with our partners, on clearing mines from the Strait in order to secure maritime routes and guarantee free and unconditional passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” Macron posted to X after hosting Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said at the Élysée Palace.
This maritime warning mirrored a sudden security lockdown by Qatar’s Ministry of Transport. Qatari officials issued an urgent notice ordering owners of leisure craft, fishing boats, and jet skis to halt all water activities until further notice. However, larger vessels adhering to standard international maritime conventions are exempt from the suspension.
Qatari officials stated the maritime halt was a temporary precaution coordinated with security agencies, with updates promised via official channels.
The restrictions come amid a messaging war between Washington and Tehran over an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz—the transit route for 20% of global oil and LNG. While a source told Reuters that U.S. and Iranian technical teams would arrive in Doha shortly to implement the deal, top officials sent mixed signals.
A senior Iranian source claimed a Doha meeting on Tuesday would pivot away from past Swiss talks to focus purely on managing the strait. President Donald Trump echoed the timing, posting on Truth Social that, “at Iran’s request, talks will resume tomorrow in Doha.”
Yet, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi broke ranks, telling the Tasnim news agency that “technical meetings of the working groups are not planned for this week.” He insisted talks are paused until Iran’s preconditions are met, even as backchannel mediation continues.
The U.S. is sending heavy diplomatic reinforcement. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are flying to Doha for high-level talks. “As far as we’re concerned, we’re holding up our end of the ceasefire. Violence will be met with violence,” Leavitt warned.
The foundation for these talks is a 14-point memorandum signed on June 17 to freeze a four-month conflict. While both sides agreed to a ceasefire and a reopened strait, they bitterly disagree on who actually controls the water. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian leaned into the economic wins Monday, announcing the release of $6 billion in frozen assets from Qatar. He hailed the pact, which includes crucial oil sanctions waivers, as “a great victory for the Iranian people.
The urgent diplomacy follows a dangerous cycle of kinetic blows. On Thursday, an Iranian projectile struck a cargo vessel in the strait, triggering a wave of strikes and counterstrikes. Iran targeted U.S. bases in Kuwait and Bahrain with drones and missiles directly following an ultimatum from Trump.
“There may come a point when we are no longer able to be reasonable, and will be forced to militarily complete the job that we very successfully started,” Trump wrote. “If that happens, the Islamic Republic of Iran will no longer exist!”
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired back, declaring that U.S. retaliatory strikes broke the truce and warning that American regional bases would “experience hell in the coming days.”
According to CENTCOM, U.S. forces targeted Iranian drone facilities, communications networks, air defenses, and mine-laying assets. Tehran denied the underlying accusations, pointing the finger back at Washington for shattering the peace agreement.
