Oman Mediates U.S.-Iran Tensions Amid Tanker Attack

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al-Busaidi and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a telephone call on Tuesday to discuss de-escalating regional tensions and supporting security and stability. The diplomatic coordination comes as Oman mediates conflicts between the United States and Iran, specifically regarding commercial navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

As part of these efforts, a planned meeting in Salalah between Iran and Gulf states to establish new maritime arrangements for the strait was postponed from Monday. Omani officials stated the delay was intended to allow more time for regional consensus and constructive dialogue.

The diplomatic push coincides with a security crisis in the Musandam Governorate. The Omani Maritime Security Center is managing the aftermath of an attack on the Panama-flagged oil tanker ELGAIA. While Oman did not specify the date of the incident, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported the vessel was struck by an unknown projectile on Saturday. A Royal Navy of Oman vessel evacuated 23 crew members after an engine room fire, and search operations remain underway for two missing crew members.