Tehran has rejected Oman's proposal for regional joint management of the Strait of Hormuz, a report said Wednesday, dashing hopes for a swift diplomatic breakthrough in the war that has disrupted Gulf trade for months.
Oman proposed a new regional deal aimed at resolving the conflict over the critical strait, through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran in late February.
However, Tehran ruled out Oman's proposal for regional joint management of the strait, saying it had no chance of success, a senior Iranian official told Reuters.
The U.S. and Saudi Arabia are trying to pressure Oman to advance their "unrealistic plans" regarding the strategic strait, the official told Reuters. Iran insisted the entire inbound route through the strait and part of the outbound route must be under Iranian control, the official added.
A 50-50 joint control arrangement with Oman would not serve Iran's interests, though Tehran considers Oman a valuable neighbor, the official said.
