A planned meeting between officials from Iran and the Persian Gulf states on the management of the Strait of Hormuz has been postponed because of “events unfolding in Yemen”. The announcement was made on Monday by Iran Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei during a press conference.
Esmaeil Baghaei said that Oman and Iran have agreed to adopt a responsible approach to managing the strait, which runs through their territorial waters. The meeting, which was to be held in Oman, would have been “an opportunity to demonstrate the importance of these decisions”. He also stressed that “no responsible country will accept dictates or pressure from external forces”.
The situation in Yemen and regional security
Esmaeil Baghaei asserted that Iran has “no connection to what is happening in Yemen” and does not interfere in the country’s affairs. He added that the postponement was initiated by Saudi Arabia. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Yemen have risen since July, when the Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, announced a naval blockade of Saudi Arabia. Clashes intensified last week after the Houthis seized the port of Mokha, strengthening their grip on the Bab-el-Mandeb strait.
Against this backdrop, Iran, which has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz amid the war between the United States and Israel, reported new incidents. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said on Monday that its forces intercepted and destroyed an MQ-1 drone over the strait using a new aerospace‑defence system. The semi‑official news agency Tasnim reported the claim.
Esmaeil Baghaei also commented on an attack on an Iranian commercial vessel that occurred on Sunday. One person was killed, and two Pakistan nationals working on board were wounded. According to the spokesperson, the United States and Israel continue “to create a security threat” in the Persian Gulf.
Source: Al Jazeera
