Oman, UN call for efforts to de-escalate regional tensions

MUSCAT: Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, received a telephone call on Wednesday from António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations.
During the call, the two sides discussed regional developments and their humanitarian repercussions. They also highlighted the efforts being made to de-escalate tensions and create conducive conditions for the return of dialogue and diplomatic endeavours, contributing to addressing outstanding issues through political means.
The UN Secretary-General praised the constructive role undertaken by the Sultanate of Oman in supporting diplomatic endeavours and bridging views, emphasising the importance of continued coordination and consultation between the two sides to enhance de-escalation efforts and support the humanitarian response.
For his part, the foreign minister affirmed the importance of continuing to intensify diplomatic efforts, exercising wisdom and restraint, and giving scope to political and diplomatic endeavours to contain tension and address issues of concern, thereby consolidating security, stability, and peace in the region.
Meanwhile, Iran said on Wednesday it had attacked 10 ships near the Strait of Hormuz after the US sank five Iranian oil tankers, in the biggest declared wave of tit-for-tat attacks on shipping by both sides since the start of the six-month-old war.
The attacks in and around the vital waterway sent the price of oil surging, with the international Brent crude benchmark breaching $100 a barrel for the first time since July. The politically sensitive average retail price of diesel fuel in the United States hit a fresh all-time high above $5.94 a gallon.
Iran also said it had fired ballistic missiles at a base used by US forces in Jordan. Attacks by both sides since the end of August have shattered a month of relative calm, with the US and Iran hitting military, shipping and energy assets. - Agencies