▲ Hormuz
Iran and Gulf region countries are set to meet in Salalah, Oman, on the 14th (local time) to discuss solutions regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, the Financial Times (FT) reported on the 11th.
According to the report, the meeting, arranged through Oman's mediation, will be attended by the foreign ministers of Iran and the six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), including Oman.
This marks the first time that high-ranking officials from the six GCC countries and Iran will gather in one place since the outbreak of the Iran war in February.
After the cease-fire memorandum of understanding agreed upon by the U.S. and Iran in June effectively collapsed, the U.S. shifted its direction toward reopening the Strait of Hormuz through military and economic pressure, while Iran and Oman continued negotiations to establish a temporary shipping route.
Late last month, the two sides even announced a tentative agreement on a route where vessels entering the Persian Gulf would use Iranian territorial waters, while ships leaving would pass through Omani waters.
As oil-producing nations, the GCC economies have suffered heavy blows from the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, their vital crude oil transport route. It appears they agreed to direct talks with Iran, concluding that U.S. pressure alone would not reopen the strait in the short term.
Although they suffered damage from Iranian airstrikes, failing to resolve hostile relations with Iran could undermine not only their crude oil exports but also their prosperity models, which rely on attracting foreign capital and talent.
In short, they have determined that they can no longer maintain the status quo economically and structurally.
One of the sources told the FT, "The goal of Iran and Oman is to bring the GCC on board (in negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz) and use this to pressure the U.S. to lift its maritime blockade against Iran," adding, "Meanwhile, GCC countries want to secure vessel passage while making it clear that this is a temporary agreement."
As a coastal nation facing Iran across the Strait of Hormuz, Oman has maintained communication channels with Iran and worked to restore free navigation. However, Iran seeks to secure control over the strait by requiring ships to obtain Iranian transit permits, even if the passage itself is free.
Furthermore, Iran maintains its stance that even if a temporary agreement regarding navigation through the Strait of Hormuz is finalized, full opening of the strait will be conditional on concessions from the U.S., such as lifting the maritime blockade, allowing crude oil exports, and granting access to frozen assets.
This means that even if the meeting between the GCC and Iran on the 14th yields positive results, it could end up as a symbolic diplomatic event for easing tensions unless there is a shift in the U.S. position.
While mediator countries such as Qatar and Oman are moving busily to revive U.S.-Iran negotiations, the situation is becoming further strained as the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen step up their offensive to control the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the mouth of the Red Sea.
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