Iran has rejected a proposal from Oman to establish a joint management framework for the Strait of Hormuz with a group of regional nations.
The rejection signals Tehran's unwillingness to cede operational influence over the critical waterway, even as international pressure mounts to secure commercial transit.
The diplomatic setback arrives against a backdrop of heightened military activity in the region.
Iran recently claimed responsibility for attacks on tankers and US bases within the Strait, significantly escalating shipping risk.
The refusal to engage in the Oman-led initiative suggests that diplomatic channels for de-escalating route security concerns remain blocked.
This development undermines potential pathways to stabilize energy flows through the chokepoint, which handles a substantial portion of global oil trade.