Iran Talks With Gulf Neighbors Over Hormuz as UAE Deepens Its Balancing Act

Iran held talks with Saudi Arabia and Oman over the Strait of Hormuz as the UAE pursued a broader recalibration of ties across the region, while the EU wrestled with the fallout of sanctions on Russia.

Iran Engages Gulf Neighbors Over Hormuz

Iran's foreign ministry held talks with Saudi and Omani counterparts over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, with President Trump hailing the discussions as 'good talks.' The diplomacy comes as recent fighting has reportedly given Tehran's forces conditions to launch more precision strikes across the Gulf and Jordan, a dynamic described as challenging for U.S. forces in the region.

The UAE's Balancing Act

The UAE has quietly rebuilt economic and diplomatic ties with Iran even as it deepens defence links with Israel and the United States, a dual-track approach described as a bold gambit given the competing relationships involved.

EU Divided Over Russia Sanctions Fallout

The EU is reportedly hesitant to target an Irish plant accused of supplying Russia's war industry, with officials fearing that restricting alumina exports to Russia would threaten the bloc's own aluminium supply chain. Separately, TotalEnergies is benefiting from an EU sanctions reprieve that allows it to keep selling LNG from its Yamal project in Siberia to Asian customers.

Sources

• Iran hosts Hormuz calls with Saudi Arabia, Oman as Trump hails ‘good talks’ (cnbc)
• Iran’s missile resilience challenges US forces (ft)
• The UAE’s bold gambit on Iran (ft)
• EU hesitates to target Irish plant accused of supplying Russia’s war industry (ft)
• TotalEnergies benefits from EU sanctions reprieve on Russian gas (ft)

Not investment advice.