U.S. President Donald Trump has once again issued a warning to Oman, coinciding with Iran’s announcement of collaborative efforts with the Gulf Arab nation to manage shipping activities through the Strait of Hormuz. The full restoration of this crucial waterway has been a primary demand from the United States.
Simultaneously, the 60-day negotiation window aimed at achieving a peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran was reaching its deadline without any mention of an extension, with both parties appearing to remain as distant in their positions as they were at the outset.
The latest updates on Monday regarding the U.S. and Israel-Iran conflict are as follows:
**Iran Progressing Towards Agreement with Oman**
Iran confirmed that it has reached a consensus with Oman on a plan for vessels to cross the Strait of Hormuz, which lies between the two nations. Efforts are underway to finalize the specifics for a joint statement. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei disclosed in Tehran that they have agreed on the transit route map, without providing further details. However, previously revealed information suggests that the deal would allow ships to enter the strait near Iran and exit near Oman, granting them passage without fees during an interim period. The U.S. has been seeking an acceptable resolution on opening the strait before lifting its blockade on Iranian ports. Iran had effectively closed the strait, a critical passageway for about one-fifth of the world’s traded oil before being attacked by Israel and the U.S. on Feb. 28.
**Prior Trump Warning Directed at Oman**
In a conversation with Fox News correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump stated that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it obstructed operations, emphasizing his stance with strong language. This is not the first instance of Trump threatening Oman, as he had previously declared during a cabinet meeting in May that Oman must comply like other nations, or face consequences. Trump dismissed the significance of the 60-day deadline for peace talks expiration, emphasizing that there was no fixed timeline for negotiations. He also mentioned having established 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 to the conflict is not viable, as conveyed by UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric.
**Houthi Rebels Claim Responsibility for Attacks**
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, asserted responsibility for an assault on a ship and four military vessels in the Red Sea near Mokha, Yemen, close to the strategic Bab el-Mandab Strait. The rebels reportedly launched ballistic missiles at the vessels, leading to their capsizing and subsequent combustion. The Houthis alleged that the targeted vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia, though no evidence was presented. There was no immediate response from Saudi Arabia, and the claim made by the Houthis remains unverified by The Associated Press. The rebels also carried out a drone strike on government forces in Marib, a central province.
**Drone Strikes Target Iraqi Officials**
Northern Iraq witnessed drone attacks targeting two officials, allegedly launched from the border with Iran, as reported by 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. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from these incidents. Despite ongoing attacks on U.S. military and diplomatic establishments in Iraq by Iran and its supported Iraqi militant groups, and on bases of Iranian Kurdish dissident groups, the direct assault on regional government buildings on Monday marked a notable departure from the usual pattern. Barzani condemned the attack, labeling it a serious escalation threatening the region’s safety and stability. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the attack, cautioning Kurdish allies to be wary of efforts to sow discord through deceptive tactics. The U.S. forces stationed in the Kurdish region of Iraq have initiated withdrawals ahead of the agreed-upon deadline of September 30 for ending the American military presence in Iraq.