Kingdom hosts military talks

The Kingdom hosted a conference on Gulf maritime security yesterday, after multiple attacks on shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz sent tensions soaring between Iran and the US. The Foreign Ministry said the meeting was held “to discuss the current regional situation and to strengthen co-operation”. In a statement, it slammed “the repeated attacks and unacceptable practices of Iran and the terrorist groups linked to it”.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, stated that hosting such a meeting affirms that the Kingdom continues to play a pivotal role in strengthening joint action with the countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and its international allies and partners, in order to secure trade and energy passages, grant international navigation freedom and reinforce peace and security in this vital and strategic region. 

The US has joined Gulf allies in accusing Iran of being behind several mysterious attacks on tankers in recent months. Tensions escalated on July 19 when Iran impounded a British-flagged tanker with its 23 crew aboard as it passed through the Strait -- the world’s busiest oil shipping lane. Iranian authorities said the ship had collided with a fishing vessel then failed to respond to distress calls, as well as turning off its transponder.

It was not specified as to who attended the talks, but many media houses reported a day earlier that the UK had called for a meeting in Bahrain with other European countries and the US. Bahrain said earlier this month that it and the US would co-host a conference on “maritime and air navigation security”, set for October. Long-simmering tensions have spiked between Tehran and Washington since US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal last year and reimposed biting sanctions on the Islamic republic.

Britain last week ordered its navy to escort UK-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz in response to Iranian soldiers seizing its tanker in the flashpoint entrance to the Gulf. The US has proposed setting up a maritime surveillance mission in the area, but Germany said yesterday it would be “reluctant” to take part, proposing a European mission instead. Despite the tensions, Iran on Tuesday received a coastguard delegation from the United Arab Emirates, aimed at reviving maritime security talks cut off in 2013, state media reported.

UAE foreign affairs official Salem Al Zaabi on Wednesday expressed “satisfaction” after the meeting. UAE state media said the meeting had addressed “routine maritime issues, including maritime connections, illegal entries and smuggling, fishermen and shared borders”.