Iran-Oman Talks With Gulf States On ‘New Hormuz Routes’ Postponed, No New Date Set

A meeting between Iran and other Gulf littoral states was postponed on Sunday following an attack on an Iranian cargo ship near Qeshm Island, adding to tensions surrounding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

The meeting was scheduled to take place in Muscat to discuss regional issues, including the safety of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz under an arrangement between Iran and Oman.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi said the meeting had been postponed “in the interests of consensus”.

“We remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports stability and lasting cooperation in our region,” he wrote on X.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry official said Tehran and Muscat had jointly agreed to postpone the meeting at the request of some regional countries. Iran will coordinate with Oman to set a new date, according to AFP.

Iran and Oman recently agreed on new shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz, the semi-official Tasnim news agency reported. Under the proposed arrangement, the entry route would run entirely through Iranian waters, while part of the exit route would also pass through Iranian waters.

The details were due to be presented to other Gulf countries at Sunday’s meeting. However, the proposed arrangement would not amount to a reopening of the strait, as Iran has laid out seven conditions for restoring normal passage through the waterway.

One Killed In Attack On Iranian Cargo Ship

An Iranian commercial vessel was hit early Sunday near the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media. One person was killed and four crew members were wounded.

IRNA quoted the governor of Qeshm as blaming a “terrorist enemy” for the attack.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency, or UKMTO, said a vessel had been struck by a projectile while sailing through the Strait of Hormuz. A fire broke out and the crew was evacuated, it said.

It was not immediately clear whether the incident reported by UKMTO was the same attack described by Iranian authorities.

Iran Sets Conditions For Reopening Hormuz

Iran has said shipping through the Strait of Hormuz would eventually be managed under its agreement with Oman.

Under the proposed arrangement, ships entering the Persian Gulf would pass through Iranian waters, while outbound traffic would use both Iranian and Omani waters. Tehran has also indicated that it could charge vessels fees for transit.

However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran would not reopen the strait until the United States met its demands, regardless of the agreement with Oman.

Commercial traffic through the waterway remains at low levels. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important routes for global oil shipments.

Before the meeting was postponed, Iraq was the only country to publicly confirm its planned participation, according to Iraqi media. Bahrain said it would not attend because it does not have diplomatic relations with Iran.

Saudi Arabia has also sought changes to the Iran-Oman arrangement. A Gulf official familiar with the matter said Riyadh was concerned that the agreement could have long-term implications for the Strait of Hormuz and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Trump Says Iran Wants A Deal

Ahead of the planned talks, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran could not be pressured into submission.

“Our people can’t be bullied into submission. Iran won’t surrender,” Pezeshkian said on social media.

US President Donald Trump, meanwhile, said Iran was eager to reach an agreement.

“Iran wants to make a deal so bad,” Trump said Sunday, claiming Iranian officials were “calling constantly”.

Trump said he still expected the war involving Iran to end this year. Asked whether the United States had struck the Iranian cargo ship near the Strait of Hormuz, he replied: “I don’t want to say.”

Iran, UAE Discuss Regional Tensions

Pezeshkian also said he had a “good talk” with a senior UAE official on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in India. He met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed.

“We talked about the issues of concern so that it’s possible to put the past behind us, to look toward the future and how we can build the future together,” Pezeshkian said on Iranian state television.

Iran has launched thousands of missiles and drones at US bases in the UAE following Trump’s decision to order attacks on Iran. Tehran has said the strikes were aimed at US military assets in the region.

Oil Prices Rise Amid Fresh Supply Risks

The latest incident near Hormuz came as global oil supplies faced another major disruption.

Saudi Arabia kept its key 1,200-kilometre east-west oil pipeline closed after drone strikes on Friday damaged the facility. The pipeline allows Saudi Arabia to export crude without using the Strait of Hormuz.

Oil prices rose when markets reopened on Monday, Reuters reported.

Saudi Arabia has enough oil stored at its Red Sea port of Yanbu to maintain exports for around five to seven days if the pipeline remains shut. A prolonged closure could put up to 4% of global oil supply at risk, adding to the millions of barrels already disrupted by reduced traffic through Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia has not disclosed the extent of the damage or said when repairs will be completed.

Oil prices crossed $100 a barrel last week, while US diesel prices climbed to a record above $6.20 a gallon.