U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman amidst Iran’s announcement of collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation on a strategy to oversee shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz. Reopening the strait fully has been a significant 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 and both sides appearing as distant in their positions as they were at the beginning.
Iran disclosed that it has struck a deal with Oman concerning a plan for ships to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, a passage situated between the two countries. Efforts are underway to finalize the specifics for a joint declaration. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei revealed in Tehran that there was an understanding regarding the transit route map.
The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory arrangement to open the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Following the attack by Israel and the U.S. on Iran on Feb. 28, Iran effectively closed the strait, a critical route through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passed.
In a previous incident, Trump reportedly stated to a Fox News journalist that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it obstructed operations, using strong language to emphasize his point. This is not the first instance of Trump’s threat towards Oman, as he had previously made similar remarks during a cabinet meeting in May.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has urged both Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks, emphasizing that a military solution to the conflict is not viable. The UN chief also emphasized the necessity for the countries to reduce the aggressive rhetoric that has been prevalent in recent days.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for an attack on a ship and four military vessels in the Red Sea near Mokha, Yemen, close to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels allegedly launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, resulting in their capsizing and catching fire. The rebels asserted that the targeted vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia, although no evidence was provided to support this claim.
In a separate incident, drone attacks targeted two officials in northern Iraq, with the regional counterterrorism service attributing the attacks to the border with Iran. The attacks, which caused no casualties, struck 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.
Since the commencement of the conflict involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran, there have been regular attacks by Iran and Iranian-backed Iraqi militant groups on U.S. military and diplomatic facilities in Iraq. Monday’s direct attack on regional government buildings marks a departure from the usual targets.
Barzani condemned the attack, labeling it as a severe escalation that threatens the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the assault, cautioning against false-flag operations aimed at sowing discord among neighbors.
As part of an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to conclude the U.S. military presence in Iraq by September 30, U.S. forces currently stationed in the Kurdish region of Iraq have initiated their withdrawal process.