A planned meeting between Iran and Gulf countries over the management of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed as attacks and political tensions continue around the critical energy route.
The meeting was scheduled to take place in Oman on Monday, September 14. Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi announced the postponement on Sunday, saying the decision had been taken “in the interests of consensus.”
Albusaidi said Oman remained committed to supporting dialogue, regional stability and lasting cooperation. He did not provide a replacement date or identify the countries that requested more time.
The talks were intended to address possible arrangements involving Iran and Oman for managing commercial passage through the strait. Iran had planned to brief foreign ministers from neighbouring countries on its proposals.
Before the meeting was postponed, Iraq was the only participating country to have publicly confirmed its attendance. Bahrain had declined the invitation, citing the absence of diplomatic relations with Tehran.
The postponement followed an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel near Qeshm Island earlier on Sunday. Iranian state media reported that one crew member was killed and four others were injured. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency separately confirmed that a vessel had been struck by a projectile and caught fire, although it was not immediately clear whether both reports referred to the same ship.
No government or armed group has publicly claimed responsibility for the strike. Iranian authorities described it as an act of terrorism but had not presented evidence identifying the attacker.
Commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains substantially reduced amid the wider conflict and continued threats to vessels. The waterway is one of the world’s most important routes for oil and liquefied-natural-gas exports.
