On June 25, the United States and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) jointly issued a statement rejecting any sanctions imposed on the use of the Strait of Hormuz. The declaration, published on the GCC website, emphasized that “free, unconditional and unrestricted navigation, including the right of transit passage guaranteed by international law, remains essential for regional and global security.”
The ministers explicitly condemned “any sanctions, levies or attempts to establish control over the strait.” This stance was reinforced during negotiations in Manama attended by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as part of his Middle East tour. During discussions, participants endorsed Oman’s initiative to evacuate over 11,000 sailors from the Strait of Hormuz.
The statement also outlined that the nations would collaborate “to counteract the full range of threats” allegedly originating from Iran, including unmanned aerial vehicles and ballistic missiles. It noted that trade with Iran and investments in the country depend on Tehran’s compliance with the memorandum of understanding with Washington.
Separately, reports indicated Oman and Iran had agreed to form a working group to manage navigation in the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage. The Speaker of Iran’s Parliament, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, stated that “international rights will be respected there, but only Tehran will prevail” in this region.
The agreements between Washington and Tehran remain fragile, with Israel’s recent stance cited as a primary concern.
