Persian Gulf Council – Continued 4

News notes

The Persian Gulf Council is the organization that brings together the countries bordering the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

The purpose of the Persian Gulf Council is:

  • Monitor and assess the condition of the waters of the Persian Gulf, particularly with regard to pollution, flora, and fauna.
  • If necessary, regulate each country’s discharges into the Persian Gulf and ensure compliance (for example: discharges from desalination plants, which should not be released into the Persian Gulf, as this would gradually turn it into a dead sea, as well as industrial discharges and discharges from wastewater treatment plants).
  • Oil Spill Pollution in the Persian Gulf: Should All Coastal Countries Establish and Utilize Common Measures?
  • Define and update the rules of navigation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. This includes the possibility of establishing a right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
  • Discuss among member countries any issues that may be of direct or indirect collective interest (for example: the possibility of regional denuclearization could be a topic for discussion, even if its implementation might extend beyond the countries bordering the Persian Gulf; the Iran-U.S. conflict could be a topic for discussion).

What the Persian Gulf Council will not do:

  • Political integration,
  • Economic integration,
  • agreements involving only a small group of countries (such as the Gulf Cooperation Council, which does not represent all the countries bordering the Persian Gulf)

What role will the Gulf Cooperation Council play in the Persian Gulf Council?

At first glance, nothing, since they are two different organizations. The Gulf Cooperation Council does not represent all the countries bordering the Persian Gulf. It could represent the six countries if they agreed to a single representation. But given the Gulf Cooperation Council Secretariat’s usual stance toward Iran, a collective statement from the six GCC countries through the voice of its current secretary will likely achieve little. You cannot transform a conflictual relationship that has lasted for several years into a stable one without profound changes within an organization accustomed to a confrontational posture.

Why highlight the Persian Gulf Council now?

Because the United States and Iran claim to be negotiating an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz that will affect all countries bordering the Persian Gulf. That part of the agreement should now be negotiated by the Persian Gulf Council and should be removed from the U.S.-Iran negotiations.

What resources will the Persian Gulf Council have?

Either direct participation by each state, in accordance with rules to be established, or a right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz.

Right of passage through the Strait of Hormuz

Today, Iran claims to be imposing a right of passage from which only Iran would benefit. We must begin technical negotiations starting with internationally recognized shipping lanes:

  • Some of these shipping routes are in Omani territorial waters. Although Oman does not want a right of passage, it could claim one or request a share of the right of passage sought by Iran.
  • The United Arab Emirates claims three islands, two of which are located in waterways that Iran claims are within its territorial waters. If the United Arab Emirates’ claims are recognized, part of those waterways would therefore lie within the territorial waters of the United Arab Emirates.
  • Preliminary conclusion: At the very least, the transit fees collected by Iran should be divided into three equal parts. It would be better to allocate them immediately as part of the Persian Gulf Council’s revenue so that it can fulfill its mission.

These are the arguments of a technical negotiation. If it fails to reach a conclusion, we will explore how we can establish shipping lanes in territorial waters other than those of Iran… and perhaps even how to bypass the Strait of Hormuz for the transit of goods, which would be another way to undermine Iran’s claims to exclusive rights of passage.

Who is interested in the idea of a “Persian Gulf Council”?

In light of recent statements, Saudi Arabia, through MBS, and Iran, through the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, appear to support such a prospect, even if their wording may differ from that of the Persian Gulf Council, as defined here.

Since Naej DRANER cannot know how this proposal could have been considered by these leaders, it’s possible that they naturally considered this possibility: allowing the countries bordering the Persian Gulf to have their say and decide matters that concern them.

Naej DRANER

May 3, 2026

Postscript, May 4, 2026: To date, the Persian Gulf Council project exists solely in the author’s imagination as an alternative means of resolving the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, without addressing the other points. The author is not aware of any intermediaries willing to assist him in implementing this project. Keep a close eye on what happens with the U.S. initiative to escort ships by force. I do not believe it will succeed in normalizing the situation and allowing a return to normal traffic. It is more likely that there will be several serious incidents and perhaps even a resumption of war. Another diplomatic path will be necessary to truly break the deadlock.