Oman postpones Strait of Hormuz talks following fatal strike on Iranian cargo ship

Talks delayed after maritime strike

Diplomatic negotiations in Muscat between Iran and Gulf Arab states were postponed on 13 September 2026, hours after a fatal attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting, scheduled for Monday, was convened to negotiate a temporary shipping corridor through the waterway. Iranian state media, citing the director general of the foreign ministry's Gulf affairs office, reported that the delay was a joint decision by Tehran and Muscat following requests from several regional governments. The maritime strike on the Iranian commercial cargo ship resulted in one death earlier that day, stalling regional diplomacy.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed the delay on X, noting that the session was postponed in the interest of building consensus among participants.

We remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports stability and lasting cooperation in our region.

Bilateral diplomacy at the BRICS summit

The Omani delay followed face-to-face discussions between Iranian and Emirati leadership during the BRICS summit in New Delhi. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on 12 September 2026. Speaking on Iranian television from India before returning to Tehran, Pezeshkian characterized the encounter as the first constructive exchange between the two governments since the outbreak of hostilities and maritime incidents in the Persian Gulf.

We addressed various issues and concerns, and it was agreed to turn the page, look toward the future and build it together.

Conflicting proposals for the strait

Oman has operated as an intermediary throughout the conflict, drawing on decades of diplomatic engagement with Tehran. The dispute directly impacts Muscat, as the southern coastline of the Strait of Hormuz lies within Omani territorial jurisdiction. In July 2026, Omani officials proposed a joint management structure that would divide operational control of the strait 50-50 with Iran. The proposal included voluntary fees collected from commercial vessels to support navigational infrastructure, environmental protection, and search-and-rescue efforts, mirroring the system used in the Strait of Malacca.

Tehran rejected the voluntary structure, demanding instead that transit fees be compulsory for all commercial vessels passing through the chokepoint. Iranian authorities also pressed shipping operators to use routes adjacent to the Iranian coast, while targeting vessels that navigate along the Omani southern shoreline.

Energy flow disruptions and Washington reaction

Maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz flowed largely unimpeded until the United States and Israel launched their military campaign against Iran on 28 February 2026. Before the hostilities began, approximately one-fifth of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through the passage from Gulf producers. United States President Donald Trump has pushed to restore transit through the waterway to pre-war volumes in an effort to reduce energy prices prior to the November midterm elections, though Tehran has retained control over the passage as strategic leverage.

United States officials cast doubt on the likelihood of a near-term regional pact. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright advised market participants against relying on diplomatic talks to reopen the shipping route.

Counting on a consensual agreement with Iran today is certainly not a good bet.