BRICS, Oman talks reveal how Gulf states are preparing for Iran’s next phase - analysis

The Iran conflict is entering a new phase amid key meetings in India and Oman. These meetings show how countries in the Gulf are looking to what may come next, even as Saudi Arabia faces pressure from Iranian-backed groups in Iraq and Yemen. Oman is also hoping to host Gulf states and Iran at a meeting on Monday. Bahrain is not expected to attend, Gulf News reported on September 12.

Let’s begin with a look at the BRICS meeting in India. BRICS brings together numerous countries that are part of a non-Western economic bloc. These include Russia, China, India, Brazil, and South Africa. This meeting is important because Iran and the UAE are present. The UAE’s Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, met Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, President of Iran, on the sidelines of the 18th BRICS Leaders Summit in New Delhi, India.

The meeting is important and comes amid several reports about moves at BRICS to discuss the Iran conflict. For instance, reports at Al-Jazeera indicate that China’s leader Xi Jinping. Gulf News meanwhile reported on the UAE meeting. “During the meeting, the two sides discussed a number of regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as the importance of supporting efforts to promote calm, de-escalation and stability in the region and enhance prospects for peace and development for its peoples.”

India is seeking to take a leadership role in BRICS during its time holding the presidency of the bloc. It is talking about “Building resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability.” The UAE is a relatively recent participant in BRICS. It has been a member since 2024. “Its membership is part of the country’s approach to multilateral cooperation, with BRICS providing a platform for dialogue on economic development, trade, investment and global governance among emerging economies,” Gulf News noted.

Meanwhile, a regional crisis is deepening. “Saudi Arabia has shut down its East-West Pipeline as a precaution after strikes hit the line in the Riyadh and Madinah regions, leaving several people injured,” Gulf News added, noting the concerns that the region now has regarding pressure on Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia is the largest country in the Gulf. It has historically had a leadership role. With the Houthis on the march and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq carrying out attacks, there are rising concerns about the next stage of the Iran conflict. The White House appears to want the conflict to wind down. It also has hinted that the US won’t be striking the Houthis. Riyadh is holding off on attacks on Iraq.

Gulf states ready to talk to Iran

Now there is also a meeting coming up in Oman. The Gulf states are ready to talk to Iran. Qatar has already been talking. Oman has an amicable relationship with Tehran. In fact, Oman has such a good relationship and has shown willingness to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, that the US even threatened Oman.

Gulf News, which reflects thinking in the Gulf, noted on September 12 that “Iran has announced plans to meet Gulf states in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, which it has kept blockaded amid the wider conflict. Saudi Civil Defense has also confirmed that an earlier security alert in Sharurah Governorate has been resolved. Follow these live updates as the situation develops.” Meanwhile, a report said, “Kuwait Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah received a call from his Bahraini counterpart Dr Abdullatif Al-Zayani on Saturday.” It was not clear what this was about, but Bahrain said earlier it would not attend.

Reuters has said that there is “no signed Hormuz deal expected yet from Oman meeting on Monday, Iranian official says.” That report adds that “a meeting between Iran and Gulf states planned for Monday in Oman will be a chance to discuss issues including the Strait of Hormuz, but is not expected to ‌yield a signed agreement over the blockaded waterway, a senior Iranian official was quoted as saying by Reuters on Saturday.”

A trend between BRICS, Oman meeting?

It is possible to identify a trend between the BRICS meeting and the possible Oman meeting. BRICS said that "we express deep concern over the continued escalation of tensions in the Middle East/West Asia and, recalling our respective national positions, call for exercising maximum restraint, as well as avoiding actions that could further aggravate the situation," the statement issued in the Indian capital New Delhi noted.

China also delivered a message at BRICS. “Xi stressed that the world is undergoing accelerated transformation unseen in a century, the Global South is rapidly growing in strength, and the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable,” China’s Xinhua noted. “He said that BRICS countries should firmly stand on the right side of history, strive to be a pioneer of the times, steer the international order toward greater justice and equity, and work together to build a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Turkey’s Anadolu noted that “foreign ministers from Arab states will meet in the Omani capital Muscat on Monday to sign an agreement establishing a joint Iran-Oman shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said.” Ankara appears pleased with this and would like to see de-escalation and also see its partners increase their influence.

“This week, on Monday, the foreign ministers of the Arab countries will meet in Muscat to sign an agreement establishing a joint route between Oman and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz and to notify the International Maritime Organization of the agreement,” Iran’s President Pezeshkian said in India. “The countries whose territories were used to launch attacks against us by the US will also attend this meeting,” he said.