Iran to discuss Strait of Hormuz with Gulf states in Oman on Monday
Meeting seeks agreement on temporary shipping arrangements
Highlights
- Gulf ministers to meet Iran in Salalah
- Talks focus on safer commercial shipping
- Oman is facilitating regional diplomatic efforts
- Hormuz disruptions continue to affect oil markets
- Meeting comes amid escalating regional tensions
Iran will meet foreign ministers from Gulf states and representatives from Iraq in Oman on Monday (14 September) to discuss security and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, as regional efforts intensify to ease disruption in the vital waterway.
According to Al Jazeera, the meeting in Salalah is being organised as Iran and Oman seek regional backing for arrangements to facilitate commercial shipping through the strait.
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Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran remained committed to ensuring the security of navigation through the waterway.
The meeting is intended to "promote better understanding among the countries of the region and help strengthen shared regional security", Iran's Foreign Ministry said.
Iran and Oman have held discussions for weeks on possible arrangements for managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, including temporary shipping routes, mine clearance and short-term management of the waterway.
The strait is a crucial global energy corridor, with about one-fifth of the world's oil supplies passing through it. Shipping has been severely disrupted since US-Israeli strikes on Iran began in late February and Tehran retaliated by restricting maritime traffic.
Oil prices rose above $100 a barrel earlier this week amid concerns over disrupted supplies.
Tehran seeks regional role
Iran is seeking greater involvement from regional countries in determining the future of the strategic waterway as it faces pressure from the US and Israel.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, speaking ahead of the BRICS summit in India, said his country was under severe pressure from US and Israeli military action and sanctions.
He warned that restrictions on Iran's trade, energy, infrastructure and financial systems could have consequences beyond the country's borders.
The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports during the conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday praised US President Donald Trump for the economic pressure imposed on Iran.
Trump, speaking at an event marking the 25th anniversary of the 11 September attacks, again said Iran would never be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon.
The planned regional meeting comes amid heightened tensions across Gulf shipping routes. Iran and the United States have escalated attacks this week, while disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have contributed to elevated oil prices and concern over global energy supplies.
