Liz Dockett: The Hormuz River remains a fault line as Iran and the US return to war.

Last night, away from the thunder of this escalation, parliament quietly introduced new legislation to control the coast of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf as a strategic measure for security and sustainable development.

That news was posted on X by Ibrahim Azizi, head of the Assembly’s National Security Commission, who told us in April that control of the waterway is Iran’s “inalienable right.”

When asked when Iran would take control, the answer was short and sharp – “never”.

“A resource to face the enemy,” he explained.

Iran’s zero confidence in American promises, whether through frequent outbreaks of war or threats during negotiations, has strengthened its resolve.

Controlling the strait is not only a compromise in this problem, but he sees it as a new benefit, a new defense mechanism, as well as an economic rescue – if the sanctions are never lifted and the assets around the world remain frozen.

But Tehran’s decision to rewrite the rules in the region has played a behind-the-scenes role for decades with its neighbors, including Qatar, the main mediator in the crisis, as well as Iran’s long-time traditional ally Oman.

Countries such as the United Arab Emirates have made it clear that Iran’s plans to play a regulatory role, including charging some form of “service fees,” is an unacceptable and dangerous precedent.

In the back-and-forth, the source said, Oman objected to Iran’s naming a specific item in the deal — a fifth point of contention — that Iran would “hold talks with the Sultanate of Oman to determine future governance and maritime services.”

Muscat is now caught between Washington’s ambitions, and Tehran wants above all to maintain its longstanding reputation as the region’s discreet diplomatic broker.

“Oman has been very patient with the Iranians trying to maintain good neighborliness,” Omani analyst Professor Abdullah Babod told the BBC’s Newshor program.

“This particular episode has put Oman in a big position…but we want this conflict to be resolved through dialogue.”

Some observers still see little chance of an eventual compromise.