WANA (Sep 11) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei has announced that a regional meeting of the foreign ministers of the Persian Gulf littoral states, with the participation of Iran and Iraq, will be held in Oman on Monday. He said the meeting will address regional issues as well as the outcome of Iran-Oman talks on establishing safe routes for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Baghaei stressed Iran’s continued efforts to promote trust and cooperation among regional countries and strengthen peace and stability without destabilizing and divisive interference by actors from outside the region. He described the initiative to convene the foreign ministers of the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman littoral states as an important development and expressed hope that it would help enhance regional understanding and strengthen shared regional security.

 

According to Baghaei, the meeting will bring together Iran, Iraq and other Persian Gulf littoral states in Oman on Monday. In addition to other regional issues, the participants will discuss the outcome of Iran-Oman negotiations on establishing safe routes for commercial navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The Iranian spokesman also referred to the understanding reached between Iran and Oman on temporary shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz. He said Iran remains committed to efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in the strategic waterway. However, he added that as long as what he described as US aggressive actions and unlawful interference, including the maritime blockade and economic warfare, continue, the security of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz cannot be guaranteed.

 

Earlier, the Financial Times reported that the Omani city of Salalah is expected to host talks on Monday between the foreign ministers of Persian Gulf states and their Iranian counterpart on a temporary arrangement concerning the Strait of Hormuz.