Regional meeting between Iran and Gulf countries postponed, attacks on Saudi Arabia from Houthis continue

It was stated that at the meeting, Iran and 8 countries bordering the Persian Gulf would meet at the ministerial level and the results of the negotiations between Iran and Oman regarding the determination of safe routes for commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz would be discussed. It was also stated that discussions would be held at the meeting regarding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and the situation of the Houthis. However, Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi announced in his statement last night that the regional meeting was postponed to achieve reconciliation. The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the meeting was postponed upon the request of some regional countries and the joint decision of Iran and Oman.

Threat from Houthis

On the other hand, in Yemen, conflicts between Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia-backed government forces continue. It was learned that the clashes intensified in Taiz. The Houthis' direct attacks on Saudi Arabia continue. Yahya Seri, Military Spokesperson of the Houthis, stated that they targeted a military base that was allegedly used to attack them in the city of Sharura, near Saudi Arabia's border with Yemen. Seri threatened to “move and intensify” attacks against Saudi Arabia “into the interior of the country.” The National Resistance Forces affiliated with the Yemeni government announced that more than 500 of its members were killed and 1,500 were injured in the last month in clashes with the Houthis in the coastal regions of the west of the country. The UN reported that the number of people displaced in Yemen due to conflicts exceeded 85 thousand.

Trump: I don't care about regional meetings

US President Donald Trump, in his statement regarding the war with Iran in Ireland, said: "Look, it may be over before the midterm elections (in November), but it will be over after the midterm elections." Asked how he evaluated the Gulf countries' plan to hold a regional meeting with Iran today, Trump replied, "I don't care, it's up to them."

Iranian ship was hit

It was stated that 1 person died and 3 people were injured as a result of an Iranian commercial ship being targeted near Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz. The attack took place during a period when conflicts around this strategically important transit route between Iran and the USA continued.