Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has publicly urged that the Strait of Hormuz remain open to international shipping and trade, a diplomatic move aimed at stabilizing one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints amid intensifying U.S.-Iran tensions.
The appeal comes as geopolitical friction threatens to disrupt the flow of crude oil and liquefied natural gas through the narrow waterway, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil consumption.
The call for stability follows a firm demand from the United States for Iran to publicly declare the Strait safe for commercial navigation.
Washington has insisted that Tehran guarantee vessels passing through the corridor will not be targeted, marking a hardening of the U.S. position on maritime security in the Gulf.
This development adds to the pressure on shipping insurers and freight operators who are already navigating heightened risks in the region.
Handelsavisen has previously reported that U.S.-Iran talks in Doha stalled over Strait issues, leaving a persistent risk premium in shipping and energy markets. The diplomatic row over deal wording has repeatedly stalled efforts to normalize shipping conditions, with earlier reports noting that shipping risk and geopolitical pressure on trade routes remained elevated. More recently, Red Sea attacks have widened the Middle East shipping crisis, compounding the risks associated with the Hormuz corridor.