Key meetings in India and Oman have signaled a new phase in the Iran war.
These meetings demonstrate that the Gulf countries are keeping an eye on the situation, even as Saudi Arabia faces increased pressure from Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Yemen.
Gulf News reported that Oman is looking to host a meeting between the Gulf states and Iran, although Bahrain is not expected to attend.
Let’s begin with a look at the BRICS meeting in India. BRICS brings together countries in a non-Western economic bloc, including Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa.
This meeting matters because Iran and the UAE are present. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheik Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian at the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit in India.
The meeting coincides with several reports of BRICS moves to discuss the Iranian conflict. Gulf News reported that, “during the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as the importance of supporting efforts to promote de-escalation and stability in the region, and enhance prospects for peace and development for its peoples.”
During its time as president of the BRICS bloc, India has sought to take leadership. India has discussed “building resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability.”
The UAE joined BRICS in 2024, making it a relatively recent participant. “Its membership is part of the country’s approach to multilateral cooperation, with BRICS providing a platform for dialogue on economic development, trade, investment, and global governance among emerging economies,” Gulf News noted.
Meanwhile, however, a regional crisis is worsening. “Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West Pipeline as a precaution after strikes hit the line in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, leaving several people injured,” Gulf News stated.
Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Gulf and usually takes a leadership role. However, with the Houthis on the march and Iran-backed militias in Iraq becoming increasingly aggressive, there are concerns about the next stage of the Iran war.
The White House apparently wants the conflict to wind down. It has also hinted it won’t strike the Houthis. And, for now, Saudi Arabia is holding off on attacking Iraq.
Gulf states ready to talk to Iran
As the meeting in Oman nears, the Gulf states are preparing to talk to Iran. Notably, Qatar has already been involved in discussions.
Oman has an amicable relationship with Iran. In fact, Oman has such a good relationship with Iran that the US threatened it.
Gulf News noted on Saturday that “Iran has announced plans to meet Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, which it has kept blockaded amid the wider conflict.”
The Saudi Civil Defense also confirmed that an earlier security alert in Sharurah Governorate had been resolved.
Meanwhile, a report said that “Kuwait Foreign Minister Sheik Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received a call from his Bahraini counterpart, Dr. Abdullatif Al-Zayani, on Saturday.”
It was unclear what they discussed, but Bahrain said it would not attend the meeting.
Reuters has said that there is “no signed Hormuz deal expected yet from [the] Oman meeting on Monday, [an] Iranian official says.”
That report adds that “a meeting between Iran and Gulf states planned for Monday in Oman will be a chance to discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz, but is not expected to yield a signed agreement over the blockaded waterway, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying by Reuters on Saturday.”
Could there be a link between the BRICS and Oman meetings?
There may be a link between the BRICS and Oman meetings.
While in India, BRICS stated: “We express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation.”
China also delivered a message at BRICS. “[Chinese President] Xi [Jinping] stressed that the world is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century, the Global South is rapidly growing in strength, and the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable,” China’s Xinhua noted.
“He said that BRICS countries should firmly stand on the right side of history, strive to be a pioneer of the times, steer the international order toward greater justice and equity, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”
Turkey appears pleased with this and wants to see de-escalation. It would also like for its partners to increase their influence.
“This week, on Monday, the foreign ministers of the Arab countries will meet in Muscat to sign an agreement establishing a joint route between Oman and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and to notify the International Maritime Organization of the agreement,” Iran’s president said in India. “The countries whose territories were used to launch attacks against us by the US will also attend this meeting.”