Oman Postpones Iran-Gulf Talks After Regional Maritime Attacks And Strikes
Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi announced late Sunday night that a high-profile meeting between Iran and Gulf Arab states, intended to address the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, has been postponed. The session, originally scheduled for Monday, was delayed in what officials termed the interest of consensus, following Bahrain’s refusal to participate due to a lack of restored diplomatic relations with Tehran. Bahrain, which severed ties in 2016, stated that regional security cannot be maintained through appeasement.
- Oman delays Iran-Gulf talks aimed at the Strait of Hormuz blockade
- Bahrain refuses to join due to broken diplomatic ties
- Maritime attacks and Houthi strikes escalate regional tensions
Maritime Attacks And Vessel Strikes
Maritime volatility persisted as an Iranian commercial vessel was struck near Hengam and Qeshm islands on Sunday morning, resulting in one death and four injuries. The governor of Qeshm blamed the US for the attack, while the UK Maritime Trade Operations reported a separate vessel struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz, causing a fire and necessitating a crew evacuation. Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has plummeted from approximately 130-140 ships daily to a handful.
Houthi Strikes And Pipeline Closure
Simultaneously, Yemen's Houthi rebels launched drone and missile strikes against the Sharurah military base in southern Saudi Arabia, targeting command centers and weapons depots. Saudi civil defense also reported a projectile strike in Jazan that injured two people and damaged a mosque and local buildings. The Houthis have recently seized the port of Mokha and Perim Island, tightening control over the Bab el-Mandeb strait. Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline remains closed following a Friday drone attack reportedly originating from Iraq.
High-Level Diplomatic Encounters
On the sidelines of the BRICS summit in India, UAE Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed Al Nahyan held a meeting with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, marking the first high-level encounter since the conflict began. Despite the meeting, President Pezeshkian stated that Iran is not at war with Saudi Arabia and characterized Houthi actions as independent of Iranian control.