Gulf states postpone strait of Hormuz talks with Iran as Yemen conflict intensifies

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Published: 2026-09-14T12:36:17.487Z • Permanent link

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, announced on Friday that Gulf states had postponed talks with Iran over the sensitive Strait of Hormuz, citing an impasse in negotiations. The talks were set to take place in Baghdad, Iraq, and were intended to address concerns over Iran's military presence in the region. However, tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have escalated in recent weeks, following a series of attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure.

Iran's parliament has approved a bill that allows the Iranian military to retaliate against any country that attacks Iranian territory, following the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's east-west pipeline. The pipeline, which carries oil from Saudi Arabia to the port of Dammam, was shut down after the drone attacks, which were blamed on Yemen's Houthi rebels. The pipeline is a critical piece of infrastructure for Saudi Arabia's oil exports, and its closure has had a significant impact on global oil prices.

Saudi Arabia's King Salman has also issued a statement condemning the drone attacks, calling them a "terrorist act" and vowing to take "strong" action against those responsible. The US has also condemned the attacks, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling them "a serious threat to global security". The tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran have been building for months, and the situation remains volatile.

The postponement of talks between the Gulf states and Iran has significant implications for the global energy market. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway for oil exports, and any disruption to the region could have far-reaching consequences for global energy prices. The US is already facing pressure from Congress to take action against Iran, and the postponement of talks could embolden lawmakers to push for more aggressive action.

The Houthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have been making significant gains in Yemen, and their advances have raised concerns about the potential for a wider conflict in the region. The US and its allies are increasingly concerned about the spread of Iranian influence in the Middle East, and the situation in Yemen is seen as a key flashpoint. The closure of the Saudi pipeline has also had a significant impact on global oil prices, with Brent crude oil prices rising by over 5% in the past week.

The tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are part of a broader pattern of competition and conflict in the Middle East. The US and its allies have been working to contain Iranian influence in the region, while Iran has been seeking to expand its reach and challenge the dominance of the US and its allies. The situation in Yemen is seen as a key test of the US and its allies' ability to respond to Iranian-backed militant groups.