U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman amid reports that Iran is collaborating with the Gulf nation on a strategy to regulate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of the strait has been a primary demand from the United States.
At the same time, the 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran was nearing its end with no mention of an extension, and both sides appearing as far apart as when discussions began.
In the latest developments on Monday regarding the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict, Iran revealed that it has made progress in discussions with Oman regarding a plan for vessels to pass through the vital Strait of Hormuz, which borders both countries. The two nations are currently finalizing the details for a joint statement on the matter.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei in Tehran, an agreement has been reached on the transit route map. Although specific details were not disclosed, previous information suggests that the agreement would involve ships entering the strait near Iran and exiting close to Oman without incurring fees during an interim period.
The United States has been seeking an acceptable resolution for reopening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. The strait was effectively closed by Iran following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on the country on February 28, halting the passage of approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil trade.
President Trump, in an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, threatened Oman with military action if it obstructs the situation, using strong language to convey his message. This is not the first instance of Trump making such threats towards Oman, as he previously stated in May that Oman must comply like everyone else or face consequences.
The expiration of the 60-day deadline for peace talks was deemed irrelevant by Trump, who also mentioned the existence of back-channel communications with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both Iran and the U.S. to resume negotiations for peace, emphasizing that a military solution is not viable and emphasizing the need to reduce inflammatory rhetoric.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacking a ship and four military vessels in the Red Sea near Mokha, Yemen, close to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels purportedly used ballistic missiles to target the vessels, causing them to capsize and catch fire. The Houthis alleged that the ships belonged to Saudi Arabia, although there has been no verification of this claim.
In a separate incident, drone attacks targeted two officials in northern Iraq, believed to have been launched from the Iranian border. One drone struck the office of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, while another targeted the residence of a senior regional intelligence official. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported. The attacks on government buildings in the region were seen as a significant escalation in tensions.
The ongoing conflicts in the region have led to escalating attacks on various targets, including U.S. military and diplomatic sites in Iraq. The withdrawal of U.S. forces from the Kurdish region in Iraq has commenced ahead of the agreed deadline of September 30, aiming to end the American military presence in the country.
Overall, tensions persist in the region as various parties navigate diplomatic challenges and security threats amidst the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East.