Strait of Hormuz Joint Committee

Hürmüz Boğazı Joint Committee is a bilateral mechanism established to facilitate dialogue between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran on matters concerning the navigation management of the Hürmüz Boğazı and to negotiate its future governance framework. The committee was established under Article 5 of the Islamabad Understanding signed between Iran and the United States of America. The committee’s first meeting was held on 29 June 2026 in Muscat the capital of Oman.

The first round of negotiations between Iran and the United States of America mediated by Qatar and Pakistan was completed on 21 June 2026. It was announced that Iran and the United States had reached a 14-point understanding on 14 June 2026 under Pakistani mediation. This understanding was named the Islamabad Understanding and entered into force on 18 June 2026 after being electronically signed by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and U.S. President Donald Trump. Article 5 of the understanding envisions Iran engaging in dialogue with Oman regarding the future governance of the Hürmüz Boğazı and the maritime services to be provided. According to this article the dialogue shall be conducted in coordination with other Gulf littoral states and in accordance with international law and the sovereign rights of the littoral states over the strait.

Under the terms of the understanding Iran committed to making every effort to ensure the safe and free passage of commercial vessels between the Gulf and the Oman Gulf for a period of 60 days and confirmed that commercial maritime transport would be immediately resumed. One of the provisions of the understanding also requires Iran to conduct mine-clearing operations within 30 days to remove technical and military obstacles.

Following talks with the United States in Switzerland the Iranian delegation composed of Mohammad Bagher Kalibaf Speaker of the Iranian Parliament and Head of the Negotiating Team and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi traveled to Oman on 23 June 2026. During the visit the Iranian delegation was received by Sultan Haitham bin Tariq and held discussions with Omani Foreign Minister Seyyid Badr al-Busaidi. Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Ismail Bekayi had previously announced that the Iranian delegation’s visit to Oman would include discussions on arrangements for the management of the Hürmüz Boğazı.

Following the talks the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a joint statement. The statement reaffirmed Oman’s support for the Islamabad Understanding signed between the United States and Iran and emphasized the importance of continuing dialogue and coordination for its successful implementation. The statement noted that Iran and Oman as littoral states of the Hürmüz Boğazı reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring safe passage through the strait in accordance with applicable international law while underscoring their sovereign rights and jurisdiction over their territorial waters. It was recorded that both countries are addressing issues related to the Hürmüz Boğazı within the framework of the Islamabad Understanding.

The statement further noted that the parties agreed to continue their dialogue through a joint working group between their foreign ministries with the aim of reaching an agreement in line with international standards on the future management of navigation in the Hürmüz Boğazı the services to be provided under this framework and associated costs. It was also decided that consultations would be held with other littoral states in the region and relevant stakeholders. The statement emphasized that all arrangements concerning the Hürmüz Boğazı must fully respect the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the two littoral states. It was recorded that Oman and Iran reaffirmed their commitment to preserving the Hürmüz Boğazı as an internationally open and secure sea route and highlighted the importance of continuing cooperation to enhance maritime security freedom of navigation and regional stability.

The first meeting of the Joint Committee established between Oman and Iran for the management of navigation in the Hürmüz Boğazı took place on 29 June 2026 in the capital Muscat. Kazem Gharibabadi Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran for Legal and International Affairs announced that the first joint committee meeting between Iran and Oman on the Hürmüz Boğazı was held in Muscat. It was reported that during his visit to Oman Gharibabadi held talks with Ambassador Abdulaziz al-Hinai at the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Iranian diplomat shared details of the meeting on a social media platform and confirmed that it was the first official meeting of the bilateral committee.

According to the semi-official Tasnim News Agency Gharibabadi stated in his remarks regarding the visit to Oman: “With this visit to Muscat we held the first meeting of the Iran-Oman Joint Hürmüz Committee. During the meeting issues related to the Hürmüz Boğazı were reviewed.”

It was noted that Gharibabadi also stated during the meeting that discussions took place on “the future governance of the strait under Article 5 of the Islamabad Understanding and the rights of littoral states”. The meeting was reported to have focused on operational coordination regarding the strategic waterway.