Oman’s efforts to end the Strait of Hormuz impasse center on a key section of international maritime law, one whose application is opposed by both Iran and the West — for different reasons. As JPMorgan analysts pointed out in a note to clients Thursday, the concept has precedent: Denmark, Sweden, and Türkiye all charge for services through the Danish and Turkish straits respectively. But Tehran — which, like the US, is not a party to UNCLOS — argues that such a system does not go far enough, and that because the strait “belongs to Iran,” it should have greater control; it has rejected Oman’s proposal. At the same time, the US and Europe are also opposed to Muscat’s efforts, worried that such a system would betray maritime principles of freedom of navigation. This leaves Oman in a tricky position: aiming to use international law to negotiate a way out of a crisis, but with opposition coming from all sides.