Oman seeks safe passage arrangements for Strait of Hormuz

Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced Monday that the Sultanate is engaged in intensive efforts to secure “safe passage arrangements” for the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor through which approximately 20 million barrels of oil normally transit daily. The waterway has been effectively disrupted since early March, driving up shipping costs and pushing global oil prices higher amid escalating regional hostilities.

In remarks posted on social media platform X, Albusaidi expressed deep concern over the conflict’s economic fallout, warning that the situation could deteriorate further if fighting continues. “Whatever your view of Iran, this war is not of their making,” he said, adding that the conflict “is already causing widespread economic problems and I fear they promise to get much worse if the war continues.”

Economic fallout and Oman's mediation

The Strait of Hormuz disruption has sent shockwaves through global energy markets, compounding inflationary pressures already affecting economies worldwide. Oman, which sits strategically along the Gulf of Oman and shares maritime borders with Iran, has traditionally played a mediating role in regional disputes. Albusaidi’s announcement signals Muscat’s intent to leverage its diplomatic position to safeguard one of the world’s most vital energy arteries, even as direct combat operations continue.

Regional escalation continues

The conflict has intensified since Feb. 28, when the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran. According to Iranian authorities, more than 1,340 people have been killed, including then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Tehran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf nations hosting US military assets, causing infrastructure damage and disrupting global aviation. For Türkiye, which relies on stable energy flows and regional stability, the potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz poses significant economic and security concerns, reinforcing Ankara’s calls for diplomatic resolution to the widening war.