Efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz face a critical diplomatic bottleneck: Iran is prioritizing bilateral discussions with Oman over direct talks with US envoys in Doha.
While American negotiators are pushing for a resolution in Qatar, Tehran appears more inclined to coordinate with its Gulf neighbor on the future management of the waterway, according to reporting by NZZ.
This divergence in diplomatic strategy complicates the path to a swift de-escalation and full restoration of commercial transit.
The physical challenge of clearing the strait is formidable.
Italy’s Ministry of Defence has assessed that removing hundreds of naval mines planted in the corridor will require a sustained international mission lasting approximately two months.
The operation involves locating and destroying ordnance using specialized techniques, a slow and hazardous process that underscores the logistical complexity of restoring safe passage for global energy flows.