U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a threat toward Oman as Iran reveals ongoing collaboration with the Gulf Arab state to coordinate maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz. Reopening the strait is a critical demand from the United States.
As the 60-day negotiating period to reach a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran nears its expiration without an extension in sight, both parties appear to be at a standstill.
Iran has announced a tentative agreement with Oman regarding a plan for ships to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two nations. Efforts are underway to finalize the specifics for a joint statement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei disclosed in Tehran that there is a mutual understanding on the transit route map, albeit without providing further details. The proposed deal envisions ships entering the strait near Iran and exiting near Oman without incurring fees during an interim period, a move sought by the U.S. to lift its port blockade on Iran.
President Trump conveyed a previous threat to Oman in an interview with Fox News, suggesting potential military action if the country obstructs U.S. interests. This is not the first instance of Trump’s warnings to Oman, as he had previously stated a similar sentiment during a cabinet meeting. Despite the expiration of the deadline for war talks, Trump emphasized the absence of a fixed timeline and confirmed backchannel communications with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Houthi rebels in Yemen, backed by Iran, claimed responsibility for attacking a ship and four military boats in the Red Sea near Mokha, close to the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels allegedly launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, allegedly belonging to Saudi Arabia, causing significant damage. Separately, drone attacks targeted Iraqi officials in the northern region, with no casualties reported. The attacks, originating from the Iran-Iraq border, were not immediately claimed by any group.
The escalating tensions have led to increased security measures, with U.S. forces initiating a withdrawal from the Kurdish region of Iraq ahead of the scheduled Sept. 30 deadline to end American military presence in the country. United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has called for a resumption of peace talks between Iran and the U.S., stressing the need to de-escalate the situation and avoid further conflict.