U.S. President Donald Trump has issued a fresh warning to Oman amid reports of Iran collaborating with the Gulf state on a strategy to regulate vessel movements through the Strait of Hormuz. Reopening the vital water passage has been a significant request from the U.S.
Meanwhile, the 60-day negotiation window to reach a peace agreement between the United States and Iran has lapsed, with no mention of an extension and both sides appearing as distant as they were at the beginning.
The latest updates on Monday in the U.S. and the Israel-Iran conflict are as follows:
**Iran Progressing with Oman Deal**
Iran has announced a tentative agreement with Oman regarding the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz, shared by both nations. Efforts are underway to finalize a joint statement outlining the terms. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed in Tehran that there is a consensus on the transit route map. While specifics were not disclosed, prior information suggests that the deal would allow ships to enter near Iran and exit close to Oman without incurring fees during an interim period. The U.S. has been pushing for a satisfactory resolution on reopening the strait before lifting its embargo on Iranian ports.
**Past Trump Warning to Oman**
In a conversation with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, Trump implied that the U.S. would take military action against Oman if it interferes, using strong language to emphasize the point. This is not the first instance of Trump making threats towards Oman. In a previous incident in May, he mentioned during a cabinet meeting that Oman must align with expectations or face consequences. The 60-day deadline for peace talks expiration was dismissed by Trump as inconsequential, with no specific timeline provided. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has urged both Iran and the U.S. to resume peace negotiations, emphasizing the futility of a military solution and the need to reduce hostile rhetoric.
**Houthi Rebels Claim Attacks**
Yemen’s Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, 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 their sinking and subsequent fires. While the rebels alleged the targeted vessels belonged to Saudi Arabia, no evidence was presented, and there was no immediate response from Saudi officials. Additionally, the rebels conducted a drone strike on government forces in Marib province.
**Drone Strikes on Iraqi Officials**
In northern Iraq, two officials were targeted in drone attacks believed to originate from the Iran-Iraq border region, as per the regional counterterrorism service. The attacks targeted the office of Masrour Barzani, the prime minister of the northern Kurdish region, and the residence of a senior intelligence official. Thankfully, there were no casualties reported. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran has seen a surge in attacks on American and diplomatic installations in Iraq. The recent direct assaults on regional government establishments mark a departure from the usual targets. Barzani condemned the attacks as a severe threat to the region’s security. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Iran from the incident, cautioning against divisive actions to incite discord.
As part of the agreed plan, U.S. forces stationed in the Kurdish region of Iraq have commenced their withdrawal ahead of the September 30 deadline to conclude the American military presence in Iraq.