A high-level regional meeting between Iran and Gulf states, scheduled for Monday, 15 September 2025 in the Omani city of Salalah, has been postponed, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi announced on Sunday via a post on social media platform X. The deferral marks a fresh setback to diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilising relations across the Persian Gulf region.

What the Omani Foreign Minister Said

'In the interests of consensus the regional meeting set for tomorrow in Salalah has been postponed,' Al Busaidi wrote in his post. He added: 'We remain committed to fostering dialogue that supports stability and lasting cooperation in our region.' Oman has long served as a discreet diplomatic back-channel between Iran and Western and Arab interlocutors, and the postponement underscores the fragility of current consensus-building efforts.

Iran's Explanation for the Delay

Mohammad Ali Bak, director general of the Persian Gulf at the Iranian Foreign Ministry, confirmed the postponement in an interview, stating it was deferred at the request of some regional countries and on the basis of a joint decision by Iran and Oman. He indicated that Tehran is in close consultations with Muscat to determine an appropriate date and ensure the necessary logistical and diplomatic arrangements are in place. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei had announced on Friday that the gathering was intended to bring together foreign ministers of Gulf littoral states, including Iran and Iraq, to exchange views on regional issues — notably the Iran-Oman talks on designating safe maritime routes in the Strait of Hormuz.

Background: What Was on the Agenda

The Salalah meeting was conceived as a multilateral platform for dialogue on a range of sensitive regional concerns. Chief among them was the question of safe passage routes through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping chokepoint through which an estimated 20% of the world's traded oil passes. Tensions over maritime security in and around the strait have been a persistent flashpoint, making the proposed dialogue format particularly significant. This is not the first time regional diplomatic gatherings involving Iran have been delayed, reflecting deep-seated differences over security architectures and bilateral grievances among Gulf states.

Iraq Reopens Iran Border Crossings

In a development running parallel to the diplomatic impasse, Iraq announced on Sunday a phased reopening of three major border crossings with Iran — Shalamcheh, Mandali, and al-Sheeb — following administrative and technical reviews aimed at enhancing security and streamlining border movement. The decision was taken under the directives of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi, according to a statement by the Security Media Cell (SMC), affiliated with the Iraqi Joint Operations Command. Passenger travel through the al-Sheeb and Shalamcheh crossings resumed at 6 am on Sunday, while commercial trade at Shalamcheh is set to resume on Monday, followed by Mandali on Tuesday and al-Sheeb on Thursday. The SMC noted that the Zurbatiyah and al-Munthiriya crossings remain fully operational around the clock, with trade and passenger movement unaffected.

What Happens Next

No new date has been announced for the rescheduled Salalah meeting. The outcome will be watched closely by analysts tracking Gulf-Iran normalisation efforts, especially amid broader regional recalibrations following shifts in Arab-Iranian diplomatic engagement in recent years. The Strait of Hormuz maritime agenda is expected to remain on the table whenever the meeting reconvenes.