Officials from Iran and some of the Gulf countries that Tehran has recently attacked are expected to meet Monday in Oman, Iranian officials said, as Arab leaders seek to calm a widening Middle East conflict.
Talks between Iran and the United States to reopen the Strait of Hormuz show little sign of progress, with the countries exchanging strikes in recent weeks. Iran has maintained its effective blockade of the waterway, throttling the Gulf Arab states' oil exports and roiling global markets.
Last week, the price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, briefly jumped to about $110 a barrel, its highest level for months, before dropping to about $105. The blockade has prolonged an economic crisis in Iran.
The planned meeting in Oman represents an attempt by regional actors to de-escalate tensions as the conflict continues to widen across the Middle East. The gathering will bring together representatives from Iran and Gulf Arab nations that have been targets of Iranian military action in recent weeks.
The Strait of Hormuz remains a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies, with a significant portion of the world's oil passing through the waterway. Iran's blockade has disrupted shipping and contributed to volatility in international energy markets, affecting economies worldwide.
Diplomatic efforts between Iran and the United States have stalled, with both sides conducting military operations against each other in recent weeks. The lack of progress in these negotiations has left the situation unresolved as regional powers attempt to find alternative paths toward de-escalation through the Oman talks.