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Musandam
Nation / PlaceOM

Musandam

Strategically vital peninsula forming the tip of Oman's Musandam exclave, overlooking the Strait of Hormuz.

Last refreshed: 17 May 2026

Key Question

Could Oman's Musandam exclave become the key to unlocking Iran's Hormuz toll regime?

Timeline for Musandam

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Common Questions
What is Musandam and why does it matter for the Strait of Hormuz?
Musandam is an Omani exclave at the tip of the Arabian Peninsula. It forms the southern flank of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world's traded oil passes.
Does Oman control the Strait of Hormuz?
Oman and Iran jointly administer the Strait of Hormuz under UNCLOS. Musandam, Oman's exclave, forms the strait's southern coast; Iran's coast forms the northern side.
Why is Iran consulting Oman about Hormuz security?
Iran and Oman are the Strait's UNCLOS co-administrators. As Iran moves to impose transit fees and military-guided passage, it needs Musandam-based Omani cooperation to legitimise the regime.Source: Araghchi statement to Jaishankar
Where exactly is Musandam?
Musandam is an exclave of Oman separated from the main country by the UAE, protruding into the Strait of Hormuz at the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula.

Background

Musandam gained renewed strategic importance in May 2026 as Iran moved to formalise transit control over the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Minister Araghchi told India's External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on 15 May that vessels must coordinate with Iranian military personnel due to mines and obstacles, while separately confirming Iran and Oman, the Strait's co-administrator under UNCLOS, were consulting on future maritime security arrangements. Musandam, as the Omani exclave commanding the eastern approach to the Strait, sits at the centre of that bilateral negotiation.

Musandam is an Omani exclave separated from the rest of Oman by the UAE, forming the tip of the Arabian Peninsula at the Strait of Hormuz. It is strategically among the most critical pieces of territory in the Gulf: roughly 20% of the world's traded oil passes through the Strait it guards. Khasab is its capital. Under UNCLOS, Oman and Iran jointly administer the Strait; Musandam's coastline forms the southern flank of the 54km-wide chokepoint.

Oman's posture throughout the Iran conflict has been that of a neutral intermediary, and Musandam's geography underpins that role. With Iran proposing a formal toll regime and imposing military-guided transit, Musandam's co-administrator status gives Muscat unusual leverage, and unusual exposure, as both sides court Oman's cooperation. The exclave's waters have also been the scene of earlier drone and mining incidents.