Washington avoiding Persian Gulf security controlled by regional countries

: Omani commentator

An Omani writer and political analyst says the Strait of Hormuz is no longer merely the subject of technical discussions on maritime navigation, but has become a testing ground for two competing approaches to the Persian Gulf security: a regional security model independent of foreign powers and the continued US military role in the region’s security architecture.

Zahir al-Mahrouqi discussed the ongoing technical negotiations over maritime navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz and, more importantly, efforts to establish a locally driven security model free from the shadow of the US military presence, Taqrib News Agency (TNA) cited ABNA as saying.

Al-Mahrouqi described negotiations between Iran and Oman as a “safety valve” for managing current tensions, arguing that Washington has failed in its efforts to limit Oman and Iran’s ability to turn security in the Strait of Hormuz into a broader political bargaining tool.

He said the disagreement stems from fundamentally different security approaches. Tehran advocates establishing a regional security system centered on the countries of the region and free of foreign military presence, while Washington and some regional states continue to rely on the US military presence and international alliances as the foundation for security in the Persian Gulf.
Highlighting the Strait of Hormuz’s importance to global energy security, the Omani analyst said diplomatic initiatives by Iran and Oman to establish monitoring mechanisms and reduce the risk of unintended confrontations have been effective in the field. However, he noted that these efforts have yet to end the involvement of extra-regional powers in the security of the strategic waterway.

According to al-Mahrouqi, Iran does not accept the US military presence as a component of regional security, while some regional countries continue to regard it as necessary to guarantee the security of energy supplies and freedom of international navigation.

He said this fundamental disagreement has resulted in security management in the Strait of Hormuz proceeding cautiously and at a regional level, without the establishment of an independent and sustainable security mechanism.

Al-Mahrouqi described Oman’s current approach as a “safety valve” and a “buffer zone” between the parties involved, saying the model has proved effective in managing crises. However, he stressed that moving from tension management toward comprehensive security and stability would require a multilateral framework involving the member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The Omani analyst also described the Strait of Hormuz as an important element in Iran’s political and economic pressure strategy, saying Tehran is seeking to link maritime security with the issue of lifting economic sanctions, while the United States is attempting to reduce the Hormuz issue to a purely technical matter concerning the movement of vessels and maritime corridors.

“Iran seeks to link maritime security with the issue of lifting economic sanctions, while the US administration, through negotiations with Muscat, is solely seeking to regulate vessel traffic and tactical maritime corridors,” he said.

At the same time, al-Mahrouqi said Washington has failed in its efforts to pressure Oman in a bid to prevent Tehran from using security in the Strait of Hormuz as a broader political bargaining instrument.

Regarding Washington’s efforts to monitor the Iran-Oman negotiations, he said the United States seeks to prevent the emergence of regional arrangements that could marginalize its role as a guarantor of energy security in the region.

In the short term, he said, Washington seeks to prevent the establishment of a fully indigenous security system in the Persian Gulf. However, he argued that developments are moving toward the emergence of a “hybrid security system.”

Under such a model, he explained, operational details and arrangements on the ground would be managed through coordination among Iran, Oman and the Gulf states, while the United States and other international powers would continue seeking to retain the strategic umbrella and broader military balance.

The Strait of Hormuz, therefore, is not merely the subject of technical negotiations over maritime navigation. Rather, it has become a testing ground for two competing visions: regional and indigenous security without reliance on foreign powers, versus the continuation of the US military role in the Persian Gulf security architecture.