Iran has resumed talks with Oman on managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz against a backdrop of US economic pressure and a diplomatic impasse. The countries discussed a joint temporary navigation corridor and agreed to clear it of mines. Meanwhile, the UKMTO reported that on Tuesday, an unidentified projectile struck a tanker near the entrance to the strait, causing it to lose propulsion.
Briefly about the main points
- Iran and Oman have agreed to clear the future route of mines.
- Most crossings of the strait have been suspended since the war began in February.
- The tanker struck off the coast of Oman has confirmed that risks to ships remain.
- The US is returning staff to some of its diplomatic missions in the Middle East.
- Oil prices fell for a second day despite US threats of sanctions.
The negotiations concern the route along which a significant proportion of energy resources were transported before the war
Iran and Oman have been holding intermittent consultations on controlling traffic through the strait for several weeks. Before the war began in February, a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas supplies passed through this waterway, but since then most shipping has come to a standstill.
A maritime incident off the coast of Oman raises questions about the safety of the shipping lane
Active hostilities between the US and Iran have largely subsided, but attempts to reach a peace agreement have reached an impasse, and transit through the strait remains dangerous. The US President Donald Trump reiterated that all the mines there had already been cleared.
According to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the tanker was struck by an unidentified projectile and lost propulsion approximately nine nautical miles, or 17 kilometres, north-east of Ash-Shishah in Oman. The IMO lists mines, difficult navigation and heavy traffic as key threats to ships.
The US Secret Service has responded to a report on Iranian state television
The US Secret Service has stated that it is aware of a video broadcast on Iranian state television in which a possible an attempt on the life of his youngest son the President Barron Trump.
The report lasted three minutes. It claimed that 20-year-old Barron was allegedly being followed, and that a reward of 10 million dollars had been offered for his murder.
Washington is recalling its diplomats and stepping up economic pressure on Tehran
The US has begun to redeploy staff to some of its diplomatic missions in the Middle East, which had been evacuated or scaled back due to tensions with Iran. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that this reflects a lower assessment of the risk of rapid escalation, although some embassies will initially operate with reduced staff numbers.
Earlier this week, Washington threatened sanctions against countries that continue to do business with Iran, but said it would not impose them immediately. Tehran has described the campaign of isolation as «a gross injustice» and expressed confidence that many countries will not join in the pressure.
Despite the new threats of sanctions, oil prices prices fell for the second day running: traders did not expect the restrictions to have an immediate impact. The return of some US personnel does not mean a full return to normal: some missions will continue to operate with reduced staff, and incidents at sea are ongoing.
