Iran-Gulf talks without US participation on reopening the Strait of Hormuz postponed, Omani official says
Gulf diplomats and Iranian officials were set to meet Monday to discuss an Omani plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to regular tanker traffic, a conversation that would have happened without a critical player: the United States. But, as news of the meeting circulated on Sunday, it was indefinitely postponed, according to the Omani … The post Iran-Gulf talks without US participation on…
Gulf diplomats and Iranian officials were set to meet on Monday to discuss an Omani plan for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to regular tanker traffic. However, the meeting was indefinitely postponed by Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi, citing the importance of consensus in the region. Despite shipping traffic remaining low, the US has insisted on maintaining a military presence to escort oil tankers, with President Donald Trump stating that the waterway's state is acceptable for now.
The meeting aimed to create momentum for a deal, as countries in the region were unwilling to accept the current situation as the new normal. Saudi Arabia submitted amendments due to concerns about establishing a new status quo. While there is a willingness to consider voluntary contributions for passage through the strait, the Iranian tolls are widely rejected.
The Omani legal framework includes voluntary payment for navigation safety and environmental protection. The US has privately encouraged the Gulf region to refocus future US-Iran negotiations on Tehran's nuclear program rather than reopening the strait. However, without the US at the table, it is unlikely that Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Iran would agree on a comprehensive plan to open the waterway.
Written by urgent.news from Egypt Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
