TEHRAN: Iran is set to hold a crucial meeting with Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss security in the Strait of Hormuz, as reported by state media.
The talks will take place in the port city of Salalah and aim to enhance cooperation in regional security amidst ongoing tensions with the United States over the strategic waterway vital for global oil and gas trade.
According to the official IRNA news agency, this meeting is seen as an important initial step towards creating a framework for security cooperation in the Gulf region. Esmaeil Baqaei, spokesperson for Iran’s foreign ministry, stated that the discussions will be a key foundation for promoting stability and security in the area, as reported by the ISNA news agency.
The backdrop to these talks involves ongoing hostilities sparked by recent US-Israeli airstrikes that killed Iran’s supreme leader on February 28. Following these events, Iran has retaliated with various attacks in the region and has blocked access to the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply travels.
Tehran is looking to solidify its control over the strait, including the possibility of charging fees for vessels passing through, and is in negotiations with Oman, as its territorial waters include portions of the Strait of Hormuz. Prior to the outbreak of conflict, the strait was accessible to all nations without restrictions.
