Oman

US officials met Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend, sources say

The meeting, which has not been made public, was held at the US Embassy in Muscat, three of the sources said on the condition of anonymity.

Members of Houthi security forces sit on a rock at the site of a rally held to commemorate Mawlid, marking the anniversary of Prophet Muhammad's birthday, in Sanaa, Yemen, August 25, 2026.
The oil tanker El Gaia at sea near Calshot, Southampton, Britain.

Panama-flagged oil tanker attacked in Strait of Hormuz, two crew members still missing

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi meets with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi in Geneva, Switzerland, February 25, 2026.

Meeting in Oman with Gulf Arab states postponed at request of regional countries, Iran says

Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks during a meeting with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India, September 12, 2026.

BRICS, Oman talks reveal how Gulf states are preparing for Iran’s next phase - analysis


Oil tankers going dark to evade Iranian attacks raises major oil spill risk in Gulf - report

Three separate oil spills are already spreading through the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, putting multiple ecosystems at risk.

This photograph obtained from Iran's ISNA news agency on August 13, 2026 shows an oil slick along the southern coast of Qeshm Island, Iran, August 13, 2026.

US military created secret path through Hormuz, 10 million barrels of oil pass daily - report

US President Donald Trump told reporters "The Strait is open. A lot of boats are coming through, adding that "We are getting a lot of oil out."

A drone view shows vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam, Oman, June 15, 2026.

Trump's threats put Oman's balancing act under growing pressure - analysis

This is the second time that Trump has threatened Oman. It has not appeared fazed by these threats. It knows that it has to navigate a changed regional and international landscape.

Cargo vessels remain anchored off Port Sultan Qaboos on June 20, 2026, in Muscat, Oman; illustrative

Trump confirms IRGC backchannel, threatens to 'bomb the s***' out of Oman if it 'gets in the way'

Later on Monday, Trump told reporters that Iran won't make the deal he thinks is needed, and that Washington will not extend the MoU.

US President Donald Trump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, US, August 7, 2026

Two slicks appear in Gulf as huge oil spill off Oman threatens disaster

One slick appeared off the southern tip of Weshm Island, while a smaller one was spotted near Sirri Island in the center of the Gulf.

A satellite image shows Qeshm Island following suspected oil spills at sea, off the coast of Iran, August 10, 2026.

Salvors work to secure Russian shadow fleet ship leaking oil off Oman, risk firm Ambrey says

The spill from the Caroline Bezengi tanker, apparently the result of an unexplained attack on the vessel in June, has spread around a nature reserve and hit Oman's coastline on Wednesday.

The damaged and half sunk oil tanker Caroline Bezengi, at sea off the coast of Oman, on a date given as August 6, 2026.

Iran claims control of Strait of Hormuz, rejecting Trump’s claim of US total dominance

The remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that the US had "total control" of the strategic waterway.

A person wades in the water as ships are seen anchored in the Strait of Hormuz on August 10, 2026 off the coast of Bandar Abbas, Iran.

UK naval drones sent data to China, raising US, European fears over Chinese components -report

The Ministry of Defense was forced to remove all internet connectivity from the Royal Marines' £12 million fleet of K3 Scout surveillance drone cameras after discovering the transmissions.

A Kraken K3 Scout high-performance USV, Autonomous Surface Vehicle is displayed during the Security Equipment International (DSEI) at London Excel on September 09, 2025 in London, England.

CENTCOM: US forces strike Panamanian vessel in Gulf of Oman over alleged breach of blockade on Iran

A US official told the WSJ that the ship's crew was transferred to another vessel after the attack, and all members were accounted for.

Warships sail during the joint Navy exercise of Iran, China and Russia in the Gulf of Oman, Iran, March 12, 2025.

Gulf states pay the price as shipping crisis exposes costly dependence on the Strait of Hormuz

"A lot of the necessities, and I'm talking food, that these Gulf nations require - Kuwait, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia - comes in by boat," and flying in goods is causing prices to rise.

The sun sets behind the Doha skyline on August 4, 2026.