Oman caught between US and Iran after Tehran claims joint strait of Hormuz plan

Muscat silent about plans - opposed by US - to charge fee and demand details on nationality of all transiting ships

Oman has been caught in geopolitical crossfire after Iran said it was coordinating with Muscat over the future management of the strait of Hormuz, including Tehran's plans - opposed by the US - for fees to be paid by commercial shipping to a new Iranian government agency.

The Omani exclave of Musandam lies to the south of the contested waterway, which normally carries a fifth of the world's seaborne oil traffic but has been blockaded for 10 weeks since since the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February.