U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman following Iran’s announcement of collaborating with the Gulf Arab nation on a strategy to oversee maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of the strait has been a crucial demand from the United States.
Meanwhile, the 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran was coming to an end with no mention of an extension, leaving both sides seemingly as distant in their positions as when discussions began.
The latest updates on Monday in the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict show Iran nearing a consensus with Oman. Iran revealed that they have agreed with Oman on a plan for ships to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two countries. They are currently in the process of finalizing the details for a joint statement.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, disclosed in Tehran that they have achieved an understanding regarding the transit route map. While specifics were not provided, previous information suggests that the agreement would allow ships to enter the strait near Iran and exit near Oman without incurring fees during an interim period. The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory deal on reopening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
Following the attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran on Feb. 28, Iran effectively shut down the strait, a critical passage for nearly a fifth of the world’s traded oil supplies.
In a previous incident, Trump, in an interview with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, threatened Oman with bombing if it interfered, using strong language to emphasize his point. This wasn’t the first time Trump had targeted Oman, as he had previously warned that Oman needed to comply or face consequences.
Regarding the expiration of the 60-day deadline for peace talks, Trump dismissed its significance, stating that there was no fixed timeline. He also mentioned having a back channel for discussions with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for a resumption of peace talks between Iran and the U.S., highlighting that a military solution to the conflict is not viable and urging both parties to reduce aggressive rhetoric.
Additionally, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for attacking a ship and four military vessels in the Red Sea near Mokha. The rebels alleged that the vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia, although there was no immediate verification of the claim.
In a separate incident, drone attacks targeted Iraqi officials in northern Iraq, with suspicions pointing towards the border with Iran as the origin of the assaults. The attacks were aimed at the office of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, and the residence of a senior regional intelligence official.
These attacks mark an escalation in tensions, with Iranian-backed groups launching regular assaults on various targets since the onset of the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict. The direct targeting of regional government properties signifies a significant development.
As the situation unfolds, U.S. forces in the Kurdish region of Iraq have initiated a withdrawal ahead of the agreed deadline of September 30 to end the American military presence in Iraq.