Araghchi: Future of Strait of Hormuz Lies with Iran and Oman

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi declared that the future governance of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz will be determined exclusively by Iran and Oman following the conclusion of the current regional conflict, according to an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera broadcast on Wednesday, April 1.

Speaking one month into the ongoing war between Iran, Israel, and the United States—which began with surprise Israeli and US airstrikes on Iranian targets on February 28—Araghchi asserted that the waterway falls within the territorial and internal waters of the two coastal states.

"The reality is that it lies within the internal waters of Iran and Oman," Araghchi said. "What arrangements will be considered after the war is a matter related to Iran and Oman."

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical shipping chokepoints, through which approximately 20 percent of global seaborne traded oil and significant volumes of liquefied natural gas pass from Gulf producers to international markets. The partial restrictions and disruptions in the strait have caused significant volatility in global energy markets, with Brent crude spiking toward and above $100 per barrel at peaks following the late February strikes.

Araghchi clarified that the strait remains open for navigation, though access is restricted for countries involved in the conflict with Iran. "From our point of view, the Strait is currently open and is closed only to those who are at war with Iran," he said. Vessels from other countries have continued to pass through, with many engaging directly with Iranian authorities to arrange safe transit.

"Some of them have entered into negotiations with us… and for many of them, especially those from friendly countries, we have put arrangements in place so they can pass through the Strait safely," Araghchi added.

Reports indicate that Iran has been imposing significant fees for safe passage, reportedly up to $2 million per tanker in some cases. These payments are often coordinated directly with Iranian authorities, sometimes in non-USD currencies such as the Chinese yuan. China, one of the largest buyers of Iranian and Gulf oil, has had mixed experiences. Several Chinese and Hong Kong-flagged tankers initially turned back in late March after warnings from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), while others later secured passage after direct negotiations.

Araghchi emphasized that ensuring navigation safety, environmental protection, and traffic management in the strait should be handled by the coastal states. "Ensuring the safety of ship passage, addressing environmental issues, navigation, traffic and regulations all require order and arrangements that pertain to the coastal states of this strait, Iran and Oman," he said.

The Iranian foreign minister also described the strait's potential future role as a "waterway of peace" once the conflict ends. Daily tanker traffic has dropped dramatically since the outbreak of hostilities, leading to higher global energy costs, increased gasoline prices in many countries, and the release of strategic reserves by consuming nations to ease supply pressures.

Araghchi's remarks came as part of a wider interview discussing regional security and Iran's position in the ongoing conflict, underscoring Tehran's determination to assert control over the strategically significant waterway.