Iran’s foreign minister spoke to his Omani and Saudi counterparts on Monday, July 27th, regarding the Strait of Hormuz. According to a Western diplomat, Oman also presented Iran with proposals for a voluntary scheme to manage the Strait, which would include collecting fees from shipping using approved routes.
From Tehran, Abbas Araghchi staged separate calls with Badr Al-Busaidi (Oman) and Faisal bin Farhan of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), according to an Iranian state broadcaster.
Amid a recent partial lull in regional hostilities, the ministers were reported to have
stressed the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region and eliminate the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz due to the aggressive actions of the United States.
The diplomatic phone calls follow Tehran’s declaration that it remains in control of the Strait of Hormuz and is not seeking talks with the U.S. following two weeks of air strikes. Nevertheless, the situation remains complicated, both by Iranian proxies the Houthis restarting attacks on Saudi Arabia, and by the first direct overlap of the war in Ukraine with the present Gulf conflict.
Coinciding with the calls were reported drone attacks targeting Jordan, the KSA, and northern Iran. Jordan reported the downing of another UAV on Tuesday, July 28th.
