U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued threats against Oman while Iran discloses ongoing collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation on a plan to oversee shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of this vital waterway has been a critical demand from the United States.
As the 60-day negotiation window aimed at reaching a peace agreement between the United States and Iran neared its end, no extension has been mentioned, and both sides appear to remain as distant in their positions as they were at the outset.
Here are the latest updates from Monday on the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict:
### Iran Progressing Towards Agreement with Oman
Iran has announced a tentative agreement with Oman concerning a plan for vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two nations. Efforts are underway to finalize the specifics for a joint statement.
According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei in Tehran, an understanding has been reached regarding the transit route map. While not providing further details, previous information suggests that the agreement would enable ships to enter near Iran and exit close to Oman, allowing transit without fees during an interim period. The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory agreement on reopening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
Following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Iran on February 28, Iran effectively closed the strait, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies used to pass.
### Past Trump Warning Directed at Oman
In an interview with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, Trump stated that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it obstructs operations, emphasizing his point with strong language. This is not the first time Trump has made threats against Oman. In a previous incident in May, he warned that Oman would face consequences if it did not comply.
Trump dismissed the significance of the 60-day deadline for talks to end the conflict, mentioning that there is no fixed timeline. He also acknowledged having a back channel for discussions with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
United Nations Secretary General António Guterres has urged both Iran and the U.S. to resume peace talks, emphasizing that a military solution is not viable and calling for a reduction in the recent escalation of rhetoric.
### Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Attacks
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, claimed responsibility for attacking a ship and four military boats in the Red Sea near Mokha, Yemen, close to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, leading to their capsizing and subsequent burning.
The rebels alleged that the targeted vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia but did not provide any evidence. There has been no immediate response from Saudi Arabia, and the claims made by the Houthi rebels have not been independently verified.
Additionally, the rebels launched a drone strike on government forces in the central province of Marib.
### Drone Attacks Target Iraqi Officials
Northern Iraq witnessed drone attacks targeting two officials, as reported by the regional counterterrorism service, believed to have originated 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 attacked the residence of a top regional intelligence official.
Fortunately, there were no casualties reported, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Since the beginning of the conflict between the U.S. and Iran, regular assaults have been launched on U.S. military and diplomatic sites in Iraq, but direct attacks on regional government buildings, as seen on Monday, are uncommon.
Barzani condemned the attack as a severe escalation threatening the security and stability of the Kurdistan Region. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the incident, cautioning against potential efforts to incite discord between neighboring nations.
The U.S. military presence in the Kurdish region of Iraq is being reduced as part of an agreement between Washington and Baghdad to withdraw American forces by September 30.