U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman as Iran discloses collaborative efforts with the Gulf Arab nation to facilitate shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz. The complete reopening of this crucial water passage has been a primary requirement from the United States.
Simultaneously, the 60-day negotiation period aimed at reaching a peace agreement between the United States and Iran was approaching its deadline without any indication of an extension, with both parties seemingly maintaining their initial stances.
Here is a summary of the latest developments on Monday regarding the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict:
**Iran Progressing Towards Agreement with Oman**
Iran has announced that a consensus has been reached with Oman regarding a proposal for ships to traverse the Strait of Hormuz, which connects both countries. The two nations are currently in the process of finalizing the specifics for a joint declaration. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei mentioned in Tehran that they have agreed on the transit route map, although no further details were provided. Previous reports suggest that the agreement may involve ships entering the strait near Iran and exiting close to Oman, allowing ships to pass through without paying fees during a temporary period. The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory agreement on opening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Iran had closed the strait, a vital route for approximately one-fifth of the global oil trade, 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, Trump reiterated a threat towards Oman, indicating that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it obstructs the process, emphasizing his point with strong language. This is not the first time Trump has made such threats towards Oman, as he previously mentioned during a cabinet meeting in May that Oman must comply like others, or face severe consequences. Trump dismissed the significance of the 60-day deadline for peace talks and revealed the existence of 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 negotiations, highlighting the ineffectiveness of a military solution to the conflict and emphasizing the need to reduce recent hostile rhetoric.
**Houthi Rebels Claim Attacks**
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, have asserted responsibility for attacking a ship and four military vessels in the Red Sea near Mokha, Yemen, close to the Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, leading to the sinking and burning of the boats. They alleged that the targeted vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia, although no evidence was provided to support this claim. The Saudi authorities have not commented on the incident, and independent verification of the Houthi statement is pending. Additionally, the rebels conducted a drone strike on government forces in the central province of Marib.
**Drone Attacks Target Iraqi Officials**
Drone attacks targeted two officials in northern Iraq, launched from the border with Iran, according to the regional counterterrorism service. One drone struck the office of Masrour Barzani, the Prime Minister of Iraq’s semi-autonomous northern Kurdish region, while another targeted the residence of a senior regional intelligence official. There were no reported casualties, and no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attacks. Since the commencement of the conflict between the U.S. and Israel with Iran, there have been consistent attacks by Iran and its Iraqi proxies on U.S. military and diplomatic sites in Iraq, as well as on bases of Iranian Kurdish dissident groups in exile. The direct attack on regional government buildings marks an unusual escalation in the conflict. Barzani condemned the attack as a severe escalation threatening the region’s security and stability. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the assault, cautioning against attempts to stoke division among neighboring nations through false-flag operations.
The U.S. military presence in the Kurdish region of Iraq is being reduced ahead of the agreed deadline of September 30 for the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq, as per the agreement between Washington and Baghdad.