U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman as Iran discloses a collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation to coordinate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Reopening the strait has been a crucial demand from the United States.
Simultaneously, the 60-day negotiation window to reach a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran was nearing its end, with no indication of an extension and both parties appearing as distant as they were at the beginning.
In the latest updates on Monday regarding the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict, Iran is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Oman regarding the transit of ships through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two countries. The negotiation aims to establish a clear route for ship passage, with discussions ongoing to formalize a joint statement.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei in Tehran, an agreement has been reached on the transit route layout, although specific details have not been disclosed. Previous reports suggest that the agreement could involve ships entering the strait near Iran and exiting close to Oman without any toll charges during an interim period.
The United States has been pushing for a satisfactory agreement to reopen the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. The strait, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s traded oil had been flowing before the conflict, was effectively closed off by Iran after being targeted by Israel and the U.S. on February 28.
In a previous incident, Trump reportedly threatened Oman during an interview with Fox News, stating that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it posed any hindrance, emphasizing his statement with strong language. This is not the first time Trump has made such threats against Oman, having previously mentioned the possibility of military action if Oman did not comply.
Amidst escalating tensions, the Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for attacking a ship and several military boats in the Red Sea near Mokha, Yemen, close to the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels allegedly used ballistic missiles in the assault, resulting in the sinking and burning of the targeted vessels, which they claimed belonged to Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, drone attacks were launched on two officials in northern Iraq, with reports suggesting the drones originated from the border with Iran. The targets included the office of Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, and the residence of a senior regional intelligence official. Although no casualties were reported, the attacks mark a concerning development in the region’s security situation.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, calls for peace negotiations between the U.S. and Iran have been reiterated by United Nations Secretary General António Guterres. Guterres emphasized the need for dialogue and de-escalation to avoid further conflict and instability in the region.
