Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers are scheduled to meet with their Iranian counterpart on Monday in Salalah, Oman, in an effort led by Oman and Iran to negotiate a temporary arrangement for managing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This would mark the first high-level diplomatic engagement between Iran and the GCC states since the conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran began in February.

The meeting, initiated by Oman, is aimed at easing tensions and improving coordination over the key maritime passage, which has become a focal point amid ongoing hostilities. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed the planned gathering and expressed Tehran’s hope that it will foster greater regional understanding and enhance shared security.

Officials from Iran and Oman have indicated that they are close to finalizing an interim agreement under which vessels would navigate the strait by entering through Iranian waters and exiting primarily via Omani territorial waters. However, several diplomats have noted that a comprehensive reopening of the strait would require a broader accord, including the United States, which continues to enforce a naval blockade against Iran.

Baghaei reiterated Iran’s commitment to securing safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz but cautioned that ongoing “acts of aggression and illegal interference,” including the naval blockade and economic constraints imposed by the U.S., undermine the guarantees for maritime security.

The timing of the negotiations underlines the urgency felt by regional actors to de-escalate hostilities that have escalated since February. Iran has launched missile and drone attacks against Gulf Arab states, perceived as retaliatory measures for bombings by U.S. and Israeli forces. Despite the attacks, several GCC members, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, have maintained diplomatic channels with Tehran, signaling a pragmatic approach to regional stability.

One individual familiar with the discussions noted that Iran and Oman’s objective is to secure GCC support to pressure the U.S. to lift the blockade on Iranian ports, while GCC states themselves emphasize the need for any agreement to be temporary and focused on ensuring the safe transit of vessels.

The GCC is composed of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi last participated in a GCC meeting in October 2024 in Doha.

Following reports about the anticipated talks, Brent crude oil futures, which had nearly reached $110 per barrel, declined by approximately 2.7 percent to about $104.74 per barrel, reflecting market reactions to potential improvements in regional maritime security.