Researcher: Hormuz Agreement Must Accommodate All Coastal States

Dubai (ANTARA) - A researcher at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy based in the United Arab Emirates believes it is essential that any agreement related to navigation in the Strait of Hormuz takes into consideration the interests of all coastal states.

Speaking to RIA Novosti on Wednesday, Randa Alhammadi, a researcher in diplomacy and media at the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, said a deal made exclusively between Iran and Oman could facilitate de-escalation.

“However, the agreement must not grant unilateral authority to any state over the international waterway or disregard the legitimate security interests of other Gulf coastal states,” she said.

For the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to accept and support such an agreement, it must be transparent, have a solid legal basis, and be consistent with international maritime law, she said.

Most importantly, the agreement must guarantee undisturbed and non-discriminatory freedom of navigation, she added.

“The UAE expects formal consultations, because its ports, energy exports, trade, and national security are directly affected,” the expert said.

The foreign ministers of six Gulf states had previously discussed efforts to secure navigation rights in the Strait of Hormuz, which remains closed to date.