United Arab Emirates presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said the UAE had emerged stronger from the conflict, despite efforts to avoid escalation.

“The UAE emerged victorious from a war we sincerely sought to avoid,” Gargash wrote on X, adding that the country was better positioned to navigate regional complexities and influence future developments.

In Oman, officials stressed the importance of mediation and sustained engagement, with the foreign minister pledging support for initiatives aimed at achieving “strong and enduring regional security.”

Omani authorities urged Washington and Tehran to pursue serious negotiations to secure a durable peace.Saudi Arabia also backed diplomatic efforts, with its foreign ministry emphasizing the need for an agreement that addresses underlying causes of instability and long-term threats to regional security.

The responses highlight a broader regional push to consolidate the ceasefire into a lasting settlement, amid concerns over the potential for renewed tensions and the wider impact on Middle East stability.

“At this point, we take a cautious approach, and we are not making any changes to specific services,” the Danish container group said in a statement to Reuters.

The conflict, which escalated following U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February and subsequent Iranian retaliation, led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and brought Gulf shipping activity close to a standstill, disrupting global supply chains.

Maersk, one of the world’s largest container shipping companies, had suspended cargo bookings to several Gulf ports last month and introduced emergency bunker fuel surcharges globally to offset rising fuel costs.

“The ceasefire may create transit opportunities, but it does not yet provide full maritime certainty and we need to understand all potential conditions attached,” the company said.It added that any decision to resume transit through the strait would depend on ongoing risk assessments, security conditions and guidance from relevant authorities and partners.

In response to disruptions, Maersk has implemented alternative logistics routes, including a “land-bridge” system using ports in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, Salalah and Sohar in Oman, and Khor Fakkan in the United Arab Emirates, allowing cargo to be transported by land into Gulf destinations.

The company said it would continue to monitor developments closely and update operations as greater clarity emerges in the coming days.

The proposal, endorsed by lawmakers on a security panel, includes “financial arrangements and rial toll systems” aimed at asserting Iran’s sovereign role, according to state television.

The plan also provide for cooperation with Oman, which shares control of the waterway’s southern side.Strategic chokepoint under strainThe Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global oil and gas shipments, has been effectively constrained since the onset of the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Tehran has limited passage for vessels it says are linked to adversaries, tightening oversight of maritime traffic.Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps has maintained a security presence in the area, with maritime monitors reporting that only a limited number of ships are currently transiting daily, often via routes approved by Iranian authorities.

Iranian officials have argued that transit fees are necessary to ensure the safety of shipping through the strait. The chairman of a parliamentary civil affairs committee, cited by Fars news agency, said vessels should contribute financially to security arrangements in the corridor.

The proposal signals a potential shift toward formalizing Iran’s control over access to the waterway, raising concerns among energy markets already strained by supply disruptions.Limited passage amid diplomatic signalsSome vessels have been allowed to pass in recent days.

Ishaq Dar said Iran had permitted 20 additional ships to transit the strait, a move he described as supporting regional stability.U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that 10 oil tankers were allowed through as a goodwill gesture during ongoing tensions, though details of any linked negotiations remain unclear.

The extent and timing of the proposed toll system’s implementation have not been specified.

Iran’s military renewed its warning on Sunday, saying it would target energy, information technology and desalination facilities linked to the United States and Israel if its own infrastructure continued to be hit.

The statement, issued by the Khatam Al-Anbiya operational command and carried by Fars news agency, followed a 48-hour ultimatum from U.S. President Donald Trump to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on Iranian power plants.

The threats mark a rare escalation into water systems, which have historically been less frequent targets in warfare. However, recent incidents suggest a shift. Bahrain said an Iranian drone strike on March 8 damaged a desalination plant, though authorities reported no disruption to supply.

Iran, in turn, accused the United States of striking a desalination facility on Qeshm Island that supplies dozens of villages, calling it a dangerous precedent. Iranian Energy Minister Abbas Aliabadi said multiple water transmission and treatment facilities had been hit, damaging critical supply networks.

Analysts warn that targeting such infrastructure could significantly widen the conflict. Water economist Esther Crauser-Delbourg said earlier this month that attacks on water systems risk triggering “a war far more enormous” than the current confrontation.

The Middle East’s dependence on desalination heightens the stakes. According to World Bank data, water availability in the region is roughly one-tenth of the global average, making engineered water supply systems essential.

The region accounts for about 42% of global desalination capacity, with Gulf states relying heavily on the technology for drinking water. Desalinated water supplies around 42% of demand in the United Arab Emirates, 70% in Saudi Arabia, 86% in Oman and 90% in Kuwait, based on a 2022 report by the French Institute of International Relations.

Large urban centres such as Dubai and Riyadh depend on uninterrupted operation of these plants. A U.S. intelligence assessment cited in earlier diplomatic communications warned that disruption of desalination systems could have more severe consequences than the loss of any other major industry in the region.

Desalination plants face multiple risks in a conflict environment, including direct missile or drone strikes, power outages and contamination of intake water from oil spills.

Operators have moved to strengthen protection. Philippe Bourdeaux, a regional executive at French utility Veolia, said access controls around facilities had been reinforced and authorities in some countries had deployed missile defence systems near major plants.

Facilities are often interconnected, allowing some redistribution of supply if one site is damaged. Most also maintain reserves equivalent to two to seven days of consumption, providing a limited buffer against short-term disruptions.

Direct attacks on desalination infrastructure have been relatively rare. Iran-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have previously targeted such facilities in Saudi Arabia, while coalition strikes have hit water systems in Yemen. Israeli operations have also affected water infrastructure in Gaza, according to conflict monitoring data.

Broader targeting of water systems dates back to the 1991 Gulf War, but experts say the current scale of dependence on desalination makes the risks more acute.Prolonged outages could trigger severe consequences, including water rationing and population displacement from major cities.

Disruptions would also affect industries reliant on water, including tourism, manufacturing and data centres, amplifying the economic fallout of the conflict.

The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for collaboration between the two nations in various cultural domains. Both countries have agreed to work together in fields such as heritage, architecture, design, visual and performing arts, literature, books and publishing, language and translation, fashion, Islamic decoration, traditional culinary arts, and cinema.

One of the key aspects of the agreement is the commitment to participate in each other’s festivals and cultural events. This exchange will foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultural heritage and traditions, promoting mutual respect and friendship between the peoples of Saudi Arabia and Oman.

Furthermore, the MoU envisions the development of art residency programs for representatives from both government and private institutions. This initiative aims to provide a platform for artists, cultural experts, and professionals to collaborate, exchange ideas, and create meaningful artistic endeavors.

Preserving heritage is another crucial aspect covered in the agreement. Saudi Arabia and Oman will undertake joint projects focusing on heritage preservation, reflecting their shared commitment to safeguarding their cultural legacies for future generations. By leveraging their collective expertise and resources, both nations can effectively address challenges related to heritage conservation and promote sustainable practices.

The MoU also emphasizes the exchange of expertise concerning regulations, organizations, and policies governing the cultural sector. By sharing best practices and knowledge, Saudi Arabia and Oman seek to strengthen their cultural institutions and enhance their capabilities in managing and promoting cultural activities.

Notably, the agreement highlights the implementation of agreements previously reached with UNESCO. Both countries recognize the importance of aligning their efforts with international standards and guidelines for cultural preservation and development. Collaborating on UNESCO initiatives will further elevate their cultural cooperation and contribute to the global cultural landscape.

The signing of this MoU signifies the shared commitment of Saudi Arabia and Oman to foster cultural dialogue, mutual enrichment, and understanding. It sets the stage for a fruitful partnership that will benefit both nations’ cultural sectors and contribute to the broader regional and international cultural scene. The agreement paves the way for increased collaboration in various artistic and cultural domains, reinforcing the deep historical and cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Oman.

The private audience between Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sultan Haitham provided an opportunity to discuss matters of mutual interest and reinforce the fraternal relations between the two brotherly nations. Both leaders expressed their commitment to further enhancing cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy, and culture.

The visit to Oman followed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s participation in the G20 summit held in India earlier in the week. During his time in India, the crown prince engaged in productive discussions with Indian officials, contributing to the strengthening of bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and India.

The G20 summit provided a platform for global leaders to address pressing issues such as climate change, economic recovery, and international cooperation. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman actively participated in the discussions and shared Saudi Arabia’s perspectives on key matters.

The visit to Oman and the G20 summit in India underscored the crown prince’s commitment to regional and international cooperation. Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, continues to play a vital role in promoting stability, peace, and economic growth in the region and beyond.

As the visit concluded, both Saudi Arabia and Oman expressed their optimism for the future, with a shared vision of deepening the bonds between the two nations. The visit served as a testament to the enduring friendship and mutual respect between Saudi Arabia and Oman, setting the stage for further collaboration and progress.

The departure of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from Oman marks the conclusion of a successful visit that further solidified the strong ties between the two countries. The visit’s outcomes are expected to contribute to the prosperity and well-being of the people of Saudi Arabia and Oman, as well as the broader region.

As Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman returns to Saudi Arabia, he carries with him the goodwill and aspirations for continued cooperation and friendship between Saudi Arabia and Oman. The visit serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering strong relationships and working together to address shared challenges and pursue common goals.

The money will be used for the first phase of the project, which will be established at the special economic zone in Duqm, Oman, the group said in a statement.

The facility is expected to produce 100,000 tons of green ammonia annually in its starting phase. It will then be expanded to 1.2 metric million tons per annum with about 3.5-gigawatts of electrolyser capacity.

ACME also said it signed preliminary agreements with REC for over 210 billion rupees of loans.

In a statement, the U.S. Navy said that at 0100 local time (2100 GMT), an Iranian naval vessel had approached the Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker TRF Moss in international waters in the Gulf of Oman.

“The Iranian vessel departed the scene when U.S. Navy guided-missile destroyer USS McFaul arrived on station,” the statement said, adding that the Navy had deployed surveillance assets including maritime patrol aircraft.

The Navy said that around three hours later it received a distress call from Bahamas-flagged oil tanker Richmond Voyager while the ship was more than 20 miles (32 km) off the coast of Muscat, Oman, and transiting international waters.

“Another Iranian naval vessel had closed within one mile of Richmond Voyager while hailing the commercial tanker to stop,” the Navy statement said, adding that the McFaul directed course towards the merchant ship at maximum speed.

“Prior to McFaul’s arrival on scene, Iranian personnel fired multiple, long bursts from both small arms and crew-served weapons,” the Navy said.

“Richmond Voyager sustained no casualties or significant damage. However, several rounds hit the ship’s hull near crew living spaces. The Iranian navy vessel departed when McFaul arrived.”

U.S. oil major Chevron (CVX.N) confirmed that it managed the Richmond Voyager, that crew onboard were safe and the vessel was operating normally.

The TRF Moss’ manager is listed in public database Equasis as Singapore-based Navig8 Chemicals Asia, but Navig8 told Reuters it was not connected with the tanker. The vessel’s manager could not be immediately located.

No Iranian Comment

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said on Wednesday that Iranian authorities have not commented yet on the matter.

“The United States will respond to Iranian aggression together with our global allies and our partners in the Middle East region to ensure the freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and other vital waterways,” a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said.

Vice Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, cited “the exceptional effort by the McFaul crew for immediately responding and preventing another seizure”.

Since 2019, there has been a series of attacks on shipping in strategic Gulf waters at times of tension between the United States and Iran.

Iran seized two oil tankers in a week just over a month ago, the U.S. Navy said.

“Since 2021, Iran has harassed, attacked or seized nearly 20 internationally flagged merchant vessels, presenting a clear threat to regional maritime security and the global economy,” the Navy statement added.

About a fifth of the world’s supply of seaborne crude oil and oil products passes through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint between Iran and Oman, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa.

Refinitiv ship-tracking data shows the Richmond Voyager previously docked in Ras Tannoura in eastern Saudi Arabia before Wednesday’s incident in the Gulf of Oman.

The Richmond Voyager was now leaving the Gulf with Singapore listed as its destination, Refinitiv ship tracking showed.

Top ship registries including the Marshall Islands and Greece have warned in recent weeks of the threat to commercial shipping in the Gulf including the Strait of Hormuz.

In another point of tension, the U.S. confiscated a cargo of Iranian oil aboard a tanker in April in a sanctions enforcement operation, sources told Reuters.

That vessel, the Marshall Islands-flagged Suez Rajan, is anchored outside the U.S. Gulf of Mexico terminal of Galveston waiting to discharge its cargo, according to Refinitiv ship tracking

Unipec, according to trade sources and data collated by Reuters, has sold 8 million barrels of Oman crude since the start of June on S&P Global’s trading platform, also known as the Platts window and used to assess the Dubai price, benchmark for millions of barrels exported from the Middle East.

It was not immediately clear why Unipec was selling large volumes of Oman crude. Traders and analysts said tepid fuel demand from a slower-than-expected economic recovery has squeezed refining margins in China; plus Unipec and other Chinese refiners have been bringing in more barrels from Russia, West Africa, the United States and Brazil.

Sinopec did not respond to a request for more detail on the sales or the reasons behind them.

Unipec sold the Oman cargoes to Totsa, trading arm of TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA), PetroChina Hong Kong , Shell (SHEL.L) and Trafigura (TRAFGF.UL), the data collated by Reuters showed.

The unusually large Oman crude sales began on June 1, traders said, just ahead of Saudi Arabia’s surprise June 4 move to cut July output by 1 million barrels per day and as the world’s biggest producer raised its official selling prices.

The trades helped cap spot premiums of benchmark Dubai prices to under $1 a barrel for most of June, Reuters data showed, despite the prospect of tighter Saudi supplies.

Unipec made no such sales in May, and in the last year it has typically sold less than 2.5 million barrels of Middle Eastern crude over the Platts window each month.

The sales have occurred as June crude deliveries to China are forecast to rise after hitting the third-highest monthly level in May, data from analytics firms Kpler and Vortexa showed.

In addition to a huge influx of Russian oil into China, June imports of U.S. crude are set to hit a record high of 30 million barrels, while more than 32 million barrels of West African crude will reach China, the Kpler and Vortexa data showed.

Unipec in recent months has been among those boosting oil purchases from West Africa, the U.S. and Brazil, traders said.

Strong crude imports and refinery maintenance in the second quarter have also boosted China’s commercial crude inventory to 962 million barrels, the highest since end-2020, said Emma Li, analyst from data analytic firm Vortexa.

Some 1.22 million barrels-per-day of refining capacity in China were shut for maintenance in May, according to a Reuters calculation. And Chinese state refiners lowered operating rates to about 76% in May from about 77% in April, according to data compiled by Longzhong consultancy.

The run cuts come as China’s refining margins were assessed at about 461 yuan ($64.53) a tonne in May, down 45% from April, Longzhong data showed.

In contrast, the data also showed, margins at independent refineries known as teapots in the oil hub of Shandong province were around 1,136 yuan a tonne as they binged on cheap oil from Russia, Iran and Venezuela.

Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg said he was “very relieved” that Kamran Ghaderi and Massud Mossaheb were being brought home after “years of arduous imprisonment in Iran.”

Denmark’s foreign minister, Lars Løkke Rasmussen, said that he was “happy and relieved that a Danish citizen is on his way home to his family in Denmark after imprisonment in Iran.” He didn’t name the person, saying their identity was “a personal matter” and he couldn’t go into details.

Schallenberg thanked the foreign ministers of Belgium and Oman for providing “valuable support,” without elaborating on what form it took. Løkke Rasmussen also thanked Belgium and said that Oman ”played an important role.”

Last week, a prisoner exchange between Belgium and Iran returned to Tehran an Iranian diplomat convicted of attempting to bomb exiles in France, Assadollah Assadi. Belgian aid worker Olivier Vandecasteele, looking visibly gaunt, headed back to Brussels as part of the swap.

There was no immediate word on what, if anything, Iran obtained in return for the latest releases.

On Friday, Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib tweeted that her country was “unwavering in our dedication to advocating for other Europeans who are being arbitrarily detained” and had “successfully secured the release of two Austrians and one Dane who were unjustly held in detention in Iran.”

Belgium’s prime minister, Alexander De Croo, said he had briefed his Austrian and Danish counterparts at a Thursday meeting in Moldova on the “imminent release” of the three prisoners “heading to Belgium via Oman.”

Iranian state media and officials did not immediately acknowledge a release on Friday, which is part of the weekend in the Islamic Republic.

Oman often serves an interlocutor between Iran and the West and brings released captives out of the Islamic Republic. An Oman Royal Air Force Gulfstream IV, which had been on the ground in Tehran for several days, took off shortly before news of the European trio’s releases came out.

The releases also come after Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq visited Iran on his first trip there since becoming the Arab nation’s ruler in 2020.

Ghaderi is an Iranian-Austrian businessman who was arrested in 2016 and later sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly spying for the U.S., charges strongly rejected by his supporters. His family had criticized Austria for being silent on his case in recent years.

Mossaheb, also an Iranian-Austrian businessman, was arrested in 2019 and received a 10-year prison sentence after what Amnesty International called “a grossly unfair trial for vague national security offenses.” Amnesty had said Mossaheb suffered from heart failure and diabetes, making his imprisonment that much more dangerous for him.

Iran has detained a number of foreigners and dual nationals over the years, accusing them of espionage or other state security offenses and sentencing them following secretive trials in which rights groups say they have been denied due process.

Critics have repeatedly accused Iran of using such prisoners as bargaining chips with the West.

Iran, facing Western sanctions over its rapidly advancing nuclear program, has experienced protests in recent months and economic strain. However, it also reached a detente with Saudi Arabia through Chinese mediation, and the International Atomic Energy Agency dropped two inquiries into the country’s nuclear program.