U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman as Iran reveals ongoing collaboration with the Gulf Arab nation to coordinate maritime activities in the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of this crucial water passage has been a significant request from the U.S.
Simultaneously, the 60-day negotiation period for a peace agreement between the United States and Iran has lapsed, with no mention of an extension, and both parties appearing as distant in their positions as they were at the beginning.
Here are the most recent updates from Monday regarding the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict:
**Iran Progressing Towards Agreement with Oman**
Iran has announced a tentative agreement with Oman regarding a plan for vessels to navigate the Strait of Hormuz, situated between the two countries. The nations are currently working on finalizing the details for a joint statement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated in Tehran that they had reached an understanding concerning the transit route map. While specifics were not disclosed, prior reports suggest that the agreement would allow ships to pass through the strait, entering via a route near Iran and exiting near Oman, without incurring fees or tolls during an interim period. The U.S. has been seeking a satisfactory resolution on opening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Iran had effectively closed the strait, a crucial route through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passed before the conflict, following attacks by Israel and the U.S. on Feb. 28.
**Previous Trump Warning Directed at Oman**
In an interview with Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, Trump threatened to bomb Oman if it interfered, emphasizing his statement with an expletive. This is not the first instance of Trump issuing threats towards Oman. In a previous incident in May, he had mentioned during a cabinet meeting that Oman must comply like everyone else, or face consequences. Trump also dismissed the significance of the 60-day deadline for talks to end the conflict, indicating that there was no fixed timeline. According to Yingst, Trump mentioned 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 decrease in recent inflammatory rhetoric.
**Houthi Rebels Claiming Attacks**
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, asserted responsibility for attacking a ship and four military boats in the Red Sea near the Yemeni city of Mokha, close to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels purportedly launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, leading to their capsizing and catching fire. The Houthis claimed the targeted vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia, although evidence was not provided, and there was no immediate response from Saudi Arabia to verify the claim. Additionally, the rebels reportedly carried out a drone strike on government forces in central Marib province.
**Drone Strikes Targeting Iraqi Officials**
Authorities in northern Iraq reported drone attacks on two officials, believed to have been launched from the Iran border. One drone targeted the office of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, while the other struck the residence of a senior regional intelligence official. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported. Although no group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, the incidents mark a departure from the usual attacks on U.S. facilities and bases by Iranian and Iranian-backed groups in Iraq. The attack on regional government buildings was viewed as a serious escalation by Barzani, who labeled it a direct threat to the region’s security and stability. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the attack, cautioning against attempts to sow discord among neighboring Kurdish communities. In line with the agreed deadline between Washington and Baghdad to end the U.S. military presence in Iraq by Sept. 30, American forces stationed in the Kurdish region have commenced withdrawal.
