President Donald Trump of the United States has once again issued a warning to Oman as Iran reveals collaboration with the Gulf nation on a strategy to regulate shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of this critical waterway has been a significant request from the U.S.
Concurrently, the 60-day negotiation window for a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran is expiring, with no mention of an extension and both parties seemingly at a standstill.
Highlighted below are the latest developments on Monday concerning the conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran.
Iran’s Progress with Oman
Iran has announced that a deal has been reached with Oman regarding the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two nations. Efforts are underway to finalize the specifics for a joint statement.
Esmail Baghaei, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, informed journalists in Tehran, the capital of Iran, that “an agreement has been reached concerning the transit route map.”
While not providing further details, prior information suggests that the agreement would allow ships to pass through the strait via an entry point near Iran and an exit point near Oman. During an interim period, ships would transit without incurring any fees or tolls.
The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory resolution on opening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
Following the attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Feb. 28, Iran effectively closed the strait, which previously facilitated approximately one-fifth of the world’s traded oil supplies.
Previous Warning from Trump to Oman
In a conversation with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, Trump stated that the U.S. would launch airstrikes on Oman if it obstructs operations, emphasizing the statement with strong language.
There was no audio provided by Fox News of this interview.
This is not the first instance of Trump threatening Oman. In May, during a cabinet meeting, he remarked to reporters that “Oman will act like everyone else, or we will have to take action against them.”
Yingst conveyed that Trump mentioned the expiration of the 60-day deadline for peace talks as insignificant and emphasized the existence of a back channel for discussions with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
Secretary-General António Guterres of the United Nations has urged Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks, emphasizing that a military solution to the conflict is not viable, as stated by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
Dujarric added that the UN Secretary-General believes both nations need to tone down the recent escalations in rhetoric.
Houthi Rebels’ Claimed Attacks
The Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen asserted responsibility for attacking a ship and four military vessels in the Red Sea near the Yemeni city of Mokha, close to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait.