A recent proposal suggesting that the countries bordering the Persian Gulf establish a joint administration of the Strait of Hormuz, modeled after the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), has drawn criticism from some experts who question the feasibility and implications of such an arrangement.

Mark D. Wallace, chief executive of United Against Nuclear Iran, expressed concerns in a letter regarding the idea to treat the Strait as a “regional commons” jointly managed by Gulf states, including Iran. He argued that the ECSC’s success in fostering cooperation and peace among European nations was predicated on significant preconditions that are absent in the Gulf region today. Specifically, Wallace noted that the ECSC followed reconciliation between France and West Germany, a mutual renunciation of territorial claims, and a commitment to a shared legal framework supported by the United States.

Wallace contended that Iran, which has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz—a critical maritime chokepoint for global oil shipments—as a form of leverage, cannot be trusted to co-administer the waterway without compromising regional security and freedom of navigation. He described Iran as “the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism” and warned that empowering Tehran with a formal role in managing the Strait would effectively reward coercive behavior, undermining stability and energy markets.

According to Wallace, the main issue in the Gulf is not a lack of established rules governing navigation but rather Iran’s frequent violations of them. He advocated for a policy focused on deterring and penalizing Iranian attempts to exert undue influence over the Strait, rather than renegotiating the rules each time they are breached.

Proponents of the joint administration concept argue that multilateral cooperation could reduce tensions and provide a stable framework for all stakeholders in one of the world’s most strategically important waterways. Nonetheless, critics maintain that the unique political dynamics and ongoing conflicts in the Gulf region make such a framework challenging to implement and potentially risky.

The Strait of Hormuz remains vital as a passage through which a significant portion of the world’s petroleum exports transit. Any disruption or threat to its openness has global economic repercussions, underscoring the strategic importance of the region. The debate over how best to secure and manage the Strait reflects broader geopolitical tensions and competing visions for stability in the Middle East.