Iran-GCC summit: What’s behind the meeting, why is Bahrain not attending? | News
Iran to Host Gulf Meeting Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions
Iran has announced that a meeting involving Iraq and Gulf nations will take place in Oman on Monday to address ongoing issues related to the Strait of Hormuz, which remains under Iranian blockade amid a diplomatic stalemate with the United States.
The blockade has had significant repercussions for global energy supplies, particularly affecting Gulf countries that rely heavily on oil and gas revenues.
In a statement released Friday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that the purpose of the meeting is to “promote better understanding among the countries of the region and help strengthen shared regional security.”
However, Bahrain, a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has expressed its intention to abstain from the gathering. The Kingdom has faced Iranian aggression since the escalation of hostilities when the U.S. and Israel initiated military actions against Iran.
Iran’s Position on Regional Security
On Saturday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei spoke with Al Jazeera, asserting that the meeting demonstrates Iran’s commitment to regional security, which he believes should be maintained by regional countries without external interference. Baghaei noted the prior use of military bases in the region for attacks on Iran, emphasizing the necessity for dialogue despite these conditions.
Gulf states have accused Tehran of carrying out strikes on civilian targets, including airports and desalination facilities. Baghaei confirmed that Tehran plans to provide participating countries with updates regarding Iran-Oman consultations on safe maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
In a separate comment, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned that while Iran anticipates reaching an agreement with Oman about governance in the Strait, this does not imply an opening of the waterway. The agreement is contingent upon the U.S. honoring a previously established memorandum of understanding from June, which lapsed after July due to disputes over alternative shipping routes.
Bahrain Declines Attendance
In a statement on Saturday, Bahrain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced it would not attend the planned meeting, citing ongoing security threats and the need for a firm stance against aggression. The Ministry emphasized that stability in the region cannot be achieved through “a policy of appeasement” and called for the Strait of Hormuz to operate freely without restrictions. Bahrain maintains its commitment to dialogue but insists it will not participate in discussions involving Iran until diplomatic relations are restored.
Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016, alongside Saudi Arabia, during a prior regional crisis. While Saudi Arabia has since reestablished relations, Bahrain has yet to follow suit.
Context of Ongoing Tensions
Indirect discussions mediated by Oman are currently underway among regional actors to ensure safe maritime navigation, especially given the increasing attacks on commercial vessels in the vital waterway, which sees approximately a fifth of the world’s oil and gas traffic.
Senior officials from Iran and the Gulf nations have engaged in communications, with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani visiting Tehran recently to de-escalate tensions and address the diplomatic deadlock with the United States.
A source familiar with the upcoming meeting indicated that Iran and Oman are prepared to present an agreement related to shipping routes through the Strait, though it remains clear that the strait will not fully reopen without meeting U.S. conditions.
Current Developments in the Strait of Hormuz
The situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains tense, as Iran continues to restrict access and claims control over the waterway. The frequency of shipping through the strait has plummeted since the armed conflict commenced in February, with daily traffic dropping drastically.
Incidents of violence in the region escalated over the weekend, culminating in an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel near Qeshm Island that resulted in one death and four injuries. Iranian officials have accused the U.S. of perpetrating these attacks, while a senior member of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Navy issued a warning against U.S. naval vessels approaching the strait.
The U.S. has yet to respond to the recent incidents or Iran’s assertions regarding the control of maritime passage in the international waterway.
