DUBAI, April 15 - Iran has put forward a proposal in talks with the United States that could allow ships to travel unmolested along the Oman side of the Strait of Hormuz, a source briefed by Tehran said.
According to the source, who declined to be identified because of the sensitivity of the discussions, Tehran could agree to let vessels use the other, Omani-side corridor of the narrow strait without interference from Iranian forces if a deal is reached to avert a renewed round of fighting. The source framed the proposal as part of a package being discussed in negotiations with Washington.
The source did not provide clarity on several operational points. It was not stated whether Iran would undertake to clear any mines that it may have laid in that stretch of water. Nor did the source confirm whether the proposal would guarantee passage for all ships, including those linked to Israel.
The backdrop to the talks is a severe disruption to energy shipping. The conflict has interrupted traffic through the Strait of Hormuz - a strategic chokepoint that handles about 20% of the world's flows of oil and liquefied natural gas. The source noted the severity of the situation, with hundreds of tankers and other vessels, and some 20,000 seafarers, reported to be stuck inside the Gulf since the Iran war began on February 28.
Officials in Washington had not responded immediately to a request for comment, the source said. The anonymous source added that Tehran's offer is conditional - it depends on whether the United States is prepared to meet the demands Tehran has set out, a factor the source described as central to any possible breakthrough over transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
The picture presented by the source is limited in detail and leaves open significant questions about implementation and scope. At this stage, the proposal is framed as an opening position in negotiations rather than a settled agreement, and several practical issues - notably mine clearance and equal treatment of all flagged vessels - remain unspecified.
Context notes: The information in this report is based on the account of a single, unnamed source briefed by Tehran. No confirmation of the proposal's specifics was provided by U.S. officials at the time of reporting.