Iran and Oman discuss the Strait of Hormuz; in the Arab world, attempts are being made to form a unified front against the crisis

Against the backdrop of efforts to prevent further escalation in the Middle East, the deputy foreign ministers of Iran and Oman held talks in Tehran over the past two days regarding the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz — one of the most important maritime trade routes in the world.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei stated that both sides discussed "common principles and practical mechanisms for managing the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, while respecting the sovereign rights of both coastal states."

According to him, the talks were held in a "constructive" atmosphere, and progress was made. Baghaei emphasized that at this stage, there has been no change in the status of maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, and that the Omani delegation has already left Tehran, but political and technical consultations between the countries are continuing.

The Strait of Hormuz is considered one of the most important energy routes in the world, with a significant portion of global oil and gas exports passing through it. Any threat to freedom of navigation in the region raises concerns in the markets and among Western and Gulf countries.

At the same time, the United States is identifying initial signs of an attempt to lower the flames. Naga Angha, a former senior advisor at the State Department and the National Security Council during the term of President Joe Biden, told CNN that the relative lull in military activity against Iran over the weekend might indicate a US attempt to promote a diplomatic solution over a military one. "It seems Washington is trying to lower the flames," she said. According to her, it is possible that the US administration is testing whether Tehran will also respond with similar restraint.

However, while Iran and Oman are holding contacts, the Gulf states themselves are struggling to present a unified front. According to a report by Politico, all Gulf states are interested in bringing an end to the fighting and ensuring the continued normal operation of the Strait of Hormuz, but they are divided on how to do so.

In recent weeks, senior officials from the UAE and Saudi Arabia have increased coordination, Jordan and the Gulf Cooperation Council countries held meetings in Washington with senior officials at the State Department and Congress, and the Council issued a series of statements condemning the Iranian attacks.

Nevertheless, diplomatic sources and former senior American officials said that behind the joint statements lie different and sometimes even opposing interests. Some countries are capable of exporting oil and gas even without passing through the Strait of Hormuz, while others — including Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain — are almost entirely dependent on this maritime route. Added to this are gaps in the level of exposure of each country to the Iranian economy, as well as the economic damage that each of them is absorbing as a result of the crisis.

An Iraqi official familiar with the contacts told Politico that "while the countries of the region are coordinating messages before the US Congress and State Department, there is no consensus among them."

Former US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Michael Ratney told Politico that "the Omanis were the most conciliatory toward Iran. The Qataris a little less so, but still engaged in contacts and mediation. The UAE was willing to act firmly. Saudi Arabia was in the middle."

A senior aide to a Republican congressman, who recently participated in a discussion with representatives of the Gulf states and Jordan at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also said that all countries expressed concern about the continuation of Iranian attacks and requested to accelerate the supply of weapons from the United States. However, according to him, "some countries were more coordinated with the goals of the United States than others."

Despite the disagreements, sources in the region estimate that maintaining freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz remains a common goal for all Gulf states, and that the continuation of contacts between Iran and Oman may become one of the central communication channels in an attempt to prevent further escalation in the region.