Capital of Dhofar, Oman; a coastal hub
The Strait of Hormuz talks hosted by Oman have been postponed to a later date as Iran and Gulf states push to manage the waterway amid a war-driven oil price surge. Tehran and Muscat are coordinating on the future of shipping through Hormuz, with Bahrain and several regional players signaling varying levels of participation as the region seeks stability.
Lebanon and Israel will meet in Rome in October to discuss a US-brokered framework aimed at restoring Lebanon’s sovereignty and Israel’s security. The talks, part of a trilateral mechanism, follow rounds that ended without breakthroughs. Ambassadors will also meet in Washington; no decisions are expected in this stage.
Houthi attacks on Yemen’s Red Sea coast have intensified, striking Mocha and al-Makha ports as government forces and militants trade strikes across Marib, Taiz and the western coast. The violence threatens shipping lanes, raises regional tensions, and risks drawing in regional powers as talks for a ceasefire stall.