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Bahrain Hosts Military Conference on Gulf Navigation Security

A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
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Bahrain Hosts Military Conference on Gulf Navigation Security

A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE
A handout picture provided by the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) shows the Stena Important (L) being accompanied by the British Navy frigate HMS Montrose (R) through the Strait of Hormuz, 25 July 2019. The Royal Navy has started providing escort for British-flagged ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's seizure of British-flagged tanker Stena Impero. EPA/MOD/BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE

Bahrain hosted a conference on Gulf maritime security on Wednesday, after multiple attacks on shipping in the strategic Strait of Hormuz sent tensions soaring between Iran and the US.

Manama said the meeting was held "to discuss the current regional situation and to strengthen cooperation".

In a statement, it slammed "the repeated attacks and unacceptable practices of Iran and the terrorist groups linked to it."

In light of the recent challenges and threats facing the region, Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation, calling upon the international community to assume its role in deterring all threats that target international security and peace.

The closed-door meeting was confirmed by the British Defense Ministry and a spokesman for the US Marines' 5th Fleet on Tuesday. The ministry declined to give details about the agenda, but said that "several international partners" would be participating.

The Guardian reported this week that the UK had called for the meeting in Bahrain with other European countries and the US. 

Bahrain said earlier this month that it and the US would co-host another conference on "maritime and air navigation security", set for October.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said on Wednesday that his country will not participate in a US-led naval security mission in the Gulf.

Washington asked Berlin to help safeguard shipping in the Strait of Hormuz after Iran's recent seizure of a British-flagged oil tanker.

"The German government will not take part in the maritime mission presented and planned by the United States," Maas said while on an official trip to Poland.

He said Germany disagreed with Washington's approach towards Iran and is not seeking a military escalation to the crisis.

The US and Britain have been seeking to establish a mission to prevent Iran from seizing further oil tankers, after Tehran impounded the British-flagged Stena Impero and the Panama-flagged MT Riah in mid-July in the Strait of Hormuz.

Several EU member states have expressed an interest in the proposal to ensure safe travel of cargo.

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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
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Oman Warns of Escalation Risk, Qatar Pushes to Revive Talks

Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA
Qatar’s Emir receives written message from Iran’s President Pezeshkian. Photo: QNA

Oman warned on Wednesday against the growing military escalation between Israel and Iran and stepped up its diplomatic efforts to shield the region from the risk of a broader conflict.

Qatar, also intensifying its mediation, said it was working with regional and international partners to end the Israeli-Iranian confrontation. This came as Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a written message from Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the Qatari state news agency, the letter focused on bilateral relations and ways to enhance them.

On Tuesday, Majed Al Ansari, spokesperson for the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and advisor to the Prime Minister, said Doha was in constant contact with friends and partners in and outside the region to help end the escalating conflict.

“Qatar is engaging all parties to narrow differences and reach a scenario that puts an end to this dangerous escalation,” he said.

Al Ansari added that Qatar was working closely with regional and international actors to revive negotiations and de-escalate tensions to prevent the region from sliding into a potentially devastating war.

He said the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister had spoken with several international officials in recent days, voicing strong condemnation of Israel’s repeated violations and attacks, which he said undermine efforts to achieve peace.

Al Ansari stressed the urgent need for collective regional and global action to reduce tensions and resolve disputes through diplomacy.

In Muscat, the Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with his Arab counterparts and key international partners, including EU foreign policy chief and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas.

According to Omani sources, the discussions focused on tackling rising regional tensions triggered by Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent response, part of a broader crisis that has been intensifying since early Friday.

The talks also addressed the need to align international positions, increase political and legal pressure to halt Israeli attacks, and push for comprehensive negotiations aimed at restoring stability and averting further military escalation.

Al Busaidi urged an immediate end to what he called a “tragic war threatening regional security” and called for heightened diplomatic pressure to revive a political solution.