Jordan's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and Expatriates' Affairs Ayman Safadi spoke by phone today with Bahraini Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Zayani.

Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safdi spoke by telephone today with Bahrainian Foreign Minister Dr. Abdullatif Zayani.

Syria's Interior Ministry said it foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons and ammunition from Tartus province into Lebanon.

Syrian Interior Ministry: We have thwarted an operation to smuggle weapons and ammunition from Tartus province into Lebanon.

Qatar University scholar Al‑Eteibi said Gulf states are alarmed Iran may demand compensation to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and that Tehran treats talks with Oman over navigation as an extension of bargaining with the US. He warned Iran could accept frozen-asset releases in exchange for transit now and press for additional payments later, creating open-ended demands that would erode trust and navigation security. Al‑Eteibi urged restoration of direct US‑Iran talks to seek a compromise on asset unfreezing and strait management. Gulf states, he said, welcome progress in Iran‑Oman negotiations but have very limited options if Tehran insists on compensation; they are unwilling to use force and say they can only act in self-defense. Iran said an Oman-mediated agreement is imminent but that reopening depends on Washington accepting Tehran’s conditions, including compensation. Given Gulf oil and gas exports’ heavy reliance on the Strait, the impasse leaves regional exporters exposed.

Qatar University scholar Al-Etaibi points out that Gulf states are deeply concerned about Iran's demand for compensation in exchange for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. He believes that Iran views its negotiations with Oman on navigation in the strait as an extension of its game against the US, aiming to demand compensation for the US's violation of the memorandum of understanding. "What is the price for reopening the waterway? Is it unfreezing assets in exchange for freedom of navigation? This is not a matter of principle, but rather a negotiating card played by Iran against the US and the region," he warns. He warns that if Iran demands money for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, "it may come back in a month or two demanding more funds to reopen it," leading to endless negotiations that erode trust and freedom of navigation. He advocates for the resumption of direct dialogue between the US and Iran, in addition to the Iran-Aman negotiations, and for seeking a compromise on asset unfreezing and strait management. While Gulf states welcome the progress of the Iran-Aman negotiations, their options are extremely limited in the face of Iran's compensation demands. Al-Etaibi states that all parties are positive about the Iran-Aman negotiations, hoping to reaffirm freedom of navigation. However, he warns that Iran's use of freedom of navigation as a "bargaining chip" is a dangerous signal for the Gulf states. He admitted that the Gulf states "are unwilling to use force and can only defend themselves and their sovereignty," thus their options are extremely limited. Iran said on Saturday that it was close to reaching an agreement with Oman, but emphasized that reopening the Strait of Hormuz depended on Washington accepting Tehran's conditions (including compensation). Given the Gulf's heavy reliance on the Strait of Hormuz for oil and gas exports, this stalemate has left the countries feeling deeply passive.