Iran has announced plans for a regional meeting scheduled for Monday in Oman involving Iraq and Gulf Cooperation Council nations to address the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has remained restricted amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, significantly disrupting global energy supplies. Iran’s Foreign Ministry characterized the gathering as an opportunity to foster regional dialogue and strengthen security cooperation without external interference from foreign powers.
Bahrain will not be attending the meeting, citing concerns over Iranian attacks on regional infrastructure and stating that security cannot be achieved through what it characterizes as a policy of appeasement. The kingdom’s Foreign Ministry indicated it would not participate in collective discussions involving Iran until diplomatic relations are restored. Bahrain severed ties with Iran in 2016, a position it has maintained even after Saudi Arabia normalized relations with Tehran in 2023. Bahrain also called for the strait to be opened without restrictions, fees, or permit requirements.
Iranian officials framed the meeting as demonstrating Tehran’s willingness to engage with regional neighbors despite their military cooperation with the United States. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated that Iran would present details of consultations with Oman regarding safe maritime passage. However, he emphasized that any agreement would not necessarily lead to reopening the strait, as Iran continues to seek commitments from Washington regarding a memorandum of understanding from earlier this year that collapsed in July.
The Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and gas transits, has experienced a dramatic decline in commercial traffic since early this year. Daily vessel movements have dropped approximately 95 percent compared to pre-conflict levels. Recent weeks have seen escalating attacks on commercial shipping in the waterway. Iran has maintained that normal transit will not resume until the United States lifts naval blockades on Iranian ports and removes sanctions, while also pushing to formalize control over the strait and potentially collect passage fees.
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