Iran-Oman Hormuz framework to impose \u2018service fees\u2019
\n Tehran
\nIran on Thursday warned that it would \u201cblack out the entire region if the United States struck its power plants\u201d, intensifying its threats towards its Gulf neighbours from last week, two officials told AFP.
\nEarlier, US President Donald Trump warned of a massive attack against Iran, which he later walked back over the weekend, citing requests from Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar and hope for a breakthrough in talks.
\n\u201cIran threatened to black out the Gulf, country by country, if Trump attacked its power plants,\u201d a Gulf official told AFP, with another regional official confirming the messaging.
\nBoth spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.
\nIran-Oman Hormuz framework to impose \u2018service fees\u2019: report
\nA proposed negotiating framework between Iran and Oman would require ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz to pay fees for a range of maritime services, while eventually replacing the existing northern and southern shipping lanes with a centrally managed corridor, according to an informed source at Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry.
\nThe source told Iran\u2019s semi-official Fars News Agency that, during an initial transitional period, vessels would enter the Strait of Hormuz through the northern shipping lane near Iran\u2019s coast and exit through the southern shipping lane near Oman\u2019s coast.
\nAfter the transition, traffic through both the northern and southern lanes would cease, with all vessels passing through a central shipping lane. Under the proposal, inbound traffic would be managed by Iran, while outbound traffic would be managed jointly by Iran and Oman.
\nThe source said vessels transiting the strait would be required to pay charges in the form of fees for services provided.
\nThose services would include insurance, bunkering (fueling), environmental protection and similar maritime support, the source said.
\nThe source dismissed reports claiming that Iran and Oman were divided over whether to charge ships 7% or 3% of the value of their cargo, describing such reports as inaccurate.
\nInstead, the fees collected from ships would vary depending on multiple factors, including the scope of services Iran can provide, the source said.
\nSaudi defence ministry announces appointment of commander leading maritime defence coalition
\nThe Saudi defence ministry on Thursday appointed a commander who will lead a maritime coalition comprising Gulf countries.
\n\u201cThe Ministry of Defence of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announces the appointment of Rear Admiral (Staff) Abdullah bin Salem Al-Shahri as the Coalition Commander,\u201d according to the statement.
\n\u201cThis represents a key step in advancing the coalition\u2019s institutional development and enhancing its operational readiness,\u201d it added.
\nThe statement further stated that \u201cthis appointment reflects the commitment of the founding states to completing the coalition\u2019s leadership structure, thereby strengthening its readiness to carry out its defensive missions in support of maritime security, protecting freedom of navigation, securing maritime routes and strategic straits, and safeguarding international trade and global supply chains within the coalition\u2019s area of responsibility, in accordance with its charter and the provisions of international law.\u201d
\nThe coalition is set to hold a planners\u2019 meeting from August 12-13 to complete the \u201cremaining institutional requirements\u201d.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Iran-Oman Hormuz framework to impose \u2018service fees\u2019 Tehran Iran on Thursday warned that it would \u201cblack out the entire region if the United States struck its power plants\u201d, intensifying its threats towards its Gulf neighbours from last week, two officials told AFP. Earlier, US President Donald Trump warned of a massive attack against Iran, which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":560474,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-560460","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n