Iran-Gulf meeting in Oman postponed by mutual decision of the parties
Diplomacy is the art of the possible, where even postponing a meeting can be a step towards consensus. In a turbulent region, every pause in talks is not a sign of failure but an attempt to find a more solid foundation for dialogue. Stability and cooperation require patience, and sometimes the best way to move forward is to pause for a while.
A meeting between Iran and the Gulf states scheduled for Monday in the Omani city of Salalah has been postponed, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said on social media on Sunday. "In the interest of consensus, the regional meeting scheduled for tomorrow in Salalah has been postponed," Al Busaidi said. "We remain committed to developing dialogue that promotes stability and lasting cooperation in our region," he added.
Confirming the postponement in an interview with Iran's official IRNA news agency, Mohammad Ali Bak, Director-General for Persian Gulf Affairs at Iran's Foreign Ministry, said the meeting was postponed to another date at the request of some regional countries and based on a joint decision by Iran and Oman. The official stressed that Iran is in close consultation with Oman to ensure the necessary measures and coordinate on a suitable time for the meeting.
On Friday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei announced that a meeting of foreign ministers of the Persian Gulf coastal states was scheduled for Monday in Oman to exchange views on regional issues, including Iran-Oman talks on identifying safe routes in the Strait of Hormuz. In an interview with Al Jazeera on Saturday, Baghaei said he hoped the meeting would be attended by foreign ministers of the Persian Gulf states, as well as Iran and Iraq.
As reported by CCTV+, the postponement of the meeting in Salalah reflects the parties' desire to align positions rather than abandon dialogue. Oman and Iran have confirmed their commitment to continuing consultations, and a new date will be determined later.
