No Bridge Over Hormuz Straits

Omani officials have refuted Iranian claims that the two countries are discussing a railway bridge building project over the Straits of Hormuz, as widely reported in local and regional media.

An Iranian delegation visited Oman to look at investment opportunities in Oman’s new railway network. Rumours of the bridge emerged from local media talking to the Iranian Ambassador to Oman ahead of the delegation arriving.

Minister for Transport and Communications, Dr Ahmed bin Mohammed al Futaisi said that he had not received communications from any government department in this regard.

One of the major selling points that the Sultanate is promoting will be that the new railway will enable freight companies to bypass the Straits inland between Omani ports, avoiding any heightened international tensions on the seaway.

Dr bin Futaisi also said that the Oman section of the GCC Railway Network is moving toward completion on time. Five world leading engineering firms have bid for tenders to design the network, and this is scheduled to be completed by 2018.