Iran: Saudi Arabia Sought Cancellation of Gulf Talks in Oman

(MENAFN) Tehran confirmed Monday that a planned gathering of Gulf foreign ministers in Oman was scrapped after Saudi Arabia asked for it to be called off, deepening uncertainty over regional diplomacy just as Iran and Oman were set to unveil a new maritime understanding.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei told reporters that Riyadh had asked for the meeting to be shelved for now. "The report that Saudi Arabia requested that the meeting not be held for now is correct," Baqaei said, according to a state news agency.

Baqaei used the briefing to push back on several fronts. He dismissed any attempt to tie Iran to recent friction between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, arguing Yemen's troubles have "long-standing roots" that predate current tensions. He also flatly denied Washington's assertion that Iran had a hand in an attack on a Saudi oil pipeline launched from Iraqi territory, accusing the US of trying to drive wedges between countries in the region. Saudi Arabia had not responded publicly as of Monday.

According to Baqaei, the now-canceled session in Oman was meant to be the venue where Iran and Oman would present a deal reached after weeks of negotiation, covering navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and the two nations' status as the waterway's coastal states. He said Tehran had hoped regional governments would use the gathering to "seize the opportunity" and discuss building a secure region free of outside interference. Despite the meeting's collapse, Baqaei maintained the Iran-Oman arrangement stands finalized, and said the two sides would work out together how and when to formally announce it.

Baqaei framed Strait of Hormuz security as a matter chiefly for Iran and Oman as its coastal states, and laid blame for current instability in the waterway on actions by the US and Israel. He accused Washington of undermining maritime safety through a strike on an Iranian vessel near Hengam Island, which he said killed one Iranian national and wounded several others, including two Pakistani citizens.

The Oman-brokered arrangement follows the collapse of a June memorandum between Washington and Tehran that had aimed to end the war that broke out in February; that deal envisioned extending an earlier April ceasefire and gradually restoring pre-war shipping levels through the strait while a lasting settlement was negotiated.

Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, confirmed the postponement Sunday, writing that "in the interests of consensus the regional meeting set for tomorrow in Salalah has been postponed." He added: "We remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports stability and lasting cooperation in our region."

Turning to Washington directly, Baqaei demanded an end to what he called "illegal and interventionist" US conduct, citing the maritime blockade and economic sanctions, and warned Iran would keep responding if such pressure continues. He also brushed aside reports of possible nuclear-related activity at Kuh-e Kolang, known as Pickaxe Mountain, labeling the coverage "media hype" and insisting Iran remains in compliance with its safeguards commitments to the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Pressed on reports that Iran had seized a US submarine, Baqaei offered a pointed distinction: "It was not seized; it was taken as war booty, and war booty is lawful."

On broader diplomacy, Baqaei welcomed China's role in supporting regional stability, but argued Iran's standoff with Washington isn't a matter of needing more mediators — rather, he said, it reflects what he called a lack of genuine political will on the US side. He also characterized Iran's relationship with Türkiye as extending well beyond an exchange of messages between Tehran and outside parties, pointing to shared concern between the two countries over Israeli actions across the region.

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