Diplomatic efforts are back in focus this week as the US-Iran conflict continues to disrupt the Gulf and widen to other areas. Iran and the Gulf states are due to meet in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz and the broader regional security. Iran says it has reached an understanding with Oman on a new maritime route through the strait. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has said that this does not mean an immediate reopening of Hormuz, which will depend on conditions being met by the United States. Further, it remains to be seen if all the Gulf Countries will be present for this meeting – Bahrain has said earlier that it will not participate.
Meanwhile, maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz continues to remain a major concern. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported on Sunday that a projectile hit a vessel while it was transiting the Strait of Hormuz. The extent of the damage and the condition of the crew were not immediately known. Separately, Iranian state media reported that an Iranian commercial vessel was struck near Qeshm Island, killing one person and injuring three others.
In Saudi Arabia, the Houthis have claimed another attack using missiles and drones against a military base in the south. Saudi civil defense overnight said a projectile fell in al-Tawwal governorate near the border with Yemen along the Red Sea, injuring two people and damaging a mosque and several other buildings. The statement blamed the Houthis. It also said sirens went off in Sharurah province but didn’t report casualties or damage.
In Iraq, authorities have seized a drone-launching platform linked to the attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline and are continuing their investigation. Iraq had earlier closed several crossings with Iran as part of the security operation and it has been now Iraqi authorities have reportedly announced a timeline to reopen some of these crossings.
The wider concern is that the conflict is now putting pressure on both major maritime routes, i.e. the Strait of Hormuz and Bab-el-Mandeb, with the eyes on what happens in Monday’s diplomatic meeting in Oman.
“Even as maritime security along the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea continues to remain a concern, diplomatic efforts are back in focus this week. Iran and the Gulf countries are expected to meet in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz and regional security. Iran says it has reached an understanding with Oman on a possible entry and exit route in the Strait. While the meeting could open a channel for dialogue and help reduce tensions, any immediate agreement on reopening the strait seems less likely as Iran has clarified that this will depend on the US agreeing to their conditions.
