WEB DESK: Iran has announced that it will jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz with Oman under international law, underscoring the strategic importance of the key maritime route for global shipping and energy transport.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said on Thursday that the two countries bordering the strait have the “natural right” to coordinate its administration, according to Anadolu Agency.
In remarks aired by Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB and cited by Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen TV, Araghchi said that decisions regarding the strait’s management would ultimately rest with Iran and Oman, while Tehran would continue consultations with Gulf states on related matters.
The Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, handles a significant share of global oil shipments and has repeatedly been a focal point of regional geopolitical tensions.
Araghchi stressed that Iran’s priority was to ensure safe maritime passage for all commercial vessels transiting the waterway.
He also referred to ongoing communication with Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, saying directives were being implemented and highlighting national consensus around leadership decisions.
Separately, senior Iranian military adviser Mohsen Rezaei said Tehran remained ready to support its regional allies, particularly Hezbollah, and warned Israel against any escalation involving Lebanon.
Rezaei described the Strait of Hormuz as a strategic deterrent for Iran, saying it would remain open for commercial shipping but not for military pressure or coercion.
He also called for the release of billions in frozen Iranian assets as part of efforts to rebuild trust in ongoing negotiations with Western countries.
In Washington, political debate continued over US involvement in Middle East conflicts. The US House of Representatives rejected a resolution seeking to limit military engagement in Lebanon, voting 92–324 against the proposal.
US President Donald Trump said separately that Washington did not need a deal with Iran to access its enriched uranium, claiming it could be obtained “right now,” while leaving open the possibility of future diplomatic engagement.
The developments come amid heightened regional tensions involving Israel, Hezbollah and broader geopolitical rivalries across the Middle East.