U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman while Iran discloses ongoing collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation to facilitate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of this crucial waterway has been a significant demand from the United States.
Simultaneously, the 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran was reaching its deadline, with no mention of a possible extension, and both parties appearing as distanced in their positions as when discussions began.
Here is a roundup of the most recent developments on Monday concerning the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict:
### Iran Progresses in Negotiations with Oman
Iran has announced a preliminary understanding with Oman regarding a transit plan for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which links the two nations. Efforts are underway to finalize the specifics for a joint statement.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei in Tehran, the capital of Iran, they have agreed on the proposed transit route map. Although details remain undisclosed, previous reports suggest the agreement will permit ships to navigate the strait, entering near Iran and exiting close to Oman, without incurring fees during an interim period.
The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory arrangement to reopen the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Iran had shut down the strait, a vital pathway for approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply, following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on February 28.
### Trump’s Previous Warning Directed at Oman
In an interview with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, President Trump warned that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it obstructs their objectives, emphasizing this threat with strong language. This is not the first instance of Trump issuing threats towards Oman. In a previous cabinet meeting in May, he made comments indicating a potential military response if Oman did not comply.
Trump dismissed the significance of the 60-day deadline for peace talks, emphasizing there is no definitive timeline. He mentioned having back-channel communications with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both Iran and the U.S. to resume diplomatic negotiations, stressing the importance of avoiding escalating rhetoric.
### Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Attacks
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, 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. The rebels launched ballistic missiles, resulting in the sinking and destruction of the vessels, although they did not provide evidence linking them to Saudi Arabia, the alleged owners of the vessels. Saudi Arabia has not commented on the incident, and independent verification of the Houthi claims is pending.
The rebels also conducted a drone strike on government forces in the central Marib province.
### Drone Assaults Target Iraqi Officials
Northern Iraq witnessed drone attacks targeting two officials, allegedly launched from the Iran-Iraq border. One drone targeted the office of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous Kurdish region, while the other struck the residence of a senior regional intelligence official. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Since the onset of the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict, there have been frequent attacks by Iran and Iranian-backed groups on U.S. military and diplomatic sites in Iraq, as well as on bases of Iranian Kurdish dissident groups. However, the direct assault on regional government buildings in Iraq represented a notable escalation.
Barzani condemned the attack as a severe escalation threatening the region’s stability. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the incident, cautioning against divisive actions aiming to create discord among neighbors.
Currently, U.S. forces in the Kurdish region of Iraq are in the process of withdrawing ahead of the agreed deadline of September 30 for the termination of U.S. military presence in Iraq.