Key facts
- Iran and Oman are negotiating a framework to manage ship traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
- Under the proposed deal, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister stated no military vessels would be allowed to transit the Strait.
- The U.S. has voiced opposition to parts of the potential agreement.
- An Israeli strike in Gaza resulted in one death and four injuries.
- Dubai International Airport experienced a significant passenger decline in the second quarter due to the Iran war.
Iran has indicated that under a potential agreement with Oman, military vessels would be prohibited from transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister, Kazem Gharibabadi, told state TV that the proposed framework would manage commercial shipping traffic, with inbound routes passing entirely through Iranian waters and outbound routes partially through Iranian and Omani territorial waters. The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, has reportedly expressed opposition to aspects of this evolving deal, including the joint management of the exit route.
Meanwhile, the conflict in the Middle East continues. An Israeli strike on a tent for displaced people in southern Gaza resulted in one death and four injuries, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The Israeli military stated it targeted a "military operative." These strikes occur amidst ongoing U.S. efforts to advance a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Dubai International Airport, a major global travel hub, reported a significant decrease in passenger traffic during the second quarter, attributing the decline to disruptions caused by the Iran war and travelers avoiding the Middle East. Air traffic in the UAE and the wider Gulf region was affected by shutdowns and restrictions.
In other regional news, the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln is scheduled for a stopover in Thailand as it concludes a lengthy deployment in the Middle East. Germany has also ended its military mission of advisers in Iraq's Kurdish region, supporting the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State militants. This comes as U.S. forces also begin withdrawing from northern Iraq.