U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman, as Iran reports collaborating with the Gulf Arab nation on a strategy to oversee shipping activities through the vital Strait of Hormuz. Reopening the strait has been a significant request from the United States.
As the 60-day negotiation period to reach a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran was nearing its end, there was no indication of an extension, with both parties appearing as distant as they were at the beginning.
Iran has disclosed that it has made progress with Oman regarding a plan for vessels to navigate through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two countries. The nations are currently finalizing details for a joint statement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei revealed in Tehran that they have achieved an understanding concerning the transit route map.
The deal is expected to allow ships to enter the strait near Iran and exit close to Oman without paying tolls during an interim phase. The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory agreement on opening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
Following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran on Feb. 28, the strait, a critical route for approximately 20% of the world’s traded oil supplies, was effectively closed by Iran.
President Trump conveyed to Fox News reporter Trey Yingst that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it obstructs, using strong language for emphasis. This is not the first instance of Trump making threats against Oman. He previously stated during a cabinet meeting in May that Oman must cooperate or face consequences.
Trump mentioned that the expiration of the 60-day deadline for peace talks was insignificant and emphasized that there was no fixed timeline. The United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, called for a resumption of negotiations between Iran and the U.S., highlighting the need to de-escalate the current tensions.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen asserted responsibility for attacks on a ship and four military boats in the Red Sea near Mokha. The rebels claimed to have launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, leading to their capsizing and burning. However, there was no immediate verification of the claim.
In a separate incident, drone attacks targeted Iraqi officials in northern Iraq, originating from the border with Iran. The attacks, directed at the office of Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of Iraq’s northern Kurdish region, and the residence of a senior regional intelligence official, resulted in no casualties. While no group claimed responsibility, such direct attacks on regional government buildings are uncommon.
The Iranian Foreign Minister sought to distance Iran from the attacks, emphasizing the importance of vigilance against attempts to stoke discord between neighboring nations. U.S. forces in the Kurdish region of Iraq have commenced withdrawal ahead of the agreed-upon deadline of Sept. 30 to end the U.S. military presence in Iraq.