DUBAI: Hormuz Talks faced renewed uncertainty on Wednesday as Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility for a missile attack on a Saudi oil tanker in the Red Sea, while Iranian officials and media insisted that negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz would not advance unless the United States changed its approach. The developments came despite US President Donald Trump’s optimistic remarks that an agreement with Iran could be reached soon.

The Houthis said they targeted the Saudi oil tanker Wafaa with several ballistic missiles near the Saudi port of Yanbu. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the claim, and the reported attack could not be independently verified.

Houthis Claim Fresh Attack on Saudi Tanker

More than 100 words into the escalating regional tensions, Hormuz Talks continued alongside renewed attacks on maritime shipping.

Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the missiles struck the tanker accurately and described the operation as part of the group’s maritime blockade strategy against Saudi Arabia.

He claimed the attack marked the eighth Saudi oil tanker targeted since the blockade began on July 22. Saree also said 29 Saudi oil tankers had either turned back or been prevented from passing through the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

The Houthis vowed to intensify attacks on Saudi-linked shipping routes, saying they would continue targeting oil tankers regardless of the consequences.

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Iran Says US Pressure Is Delaying Agreement

Iranian state media reported that negotiations with Oman over future navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz remain separate from discussions with the United States.

According to Iranian sources, any agreement between Tehran and Muscat would not automatically reopen the strategic waterway. Officials said the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed unless the United States changed what Iran described as its “violations” and military pressure.

Another Iranian source told local media that US interference and President Donald Trump’s repeated military threats remained the main obstacles preventing a final agreement with Oman.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said talks with Oman were progressing positively and remained focused on establishing safe shipping routes while protecting the sovereignty and security of both countries.

Trump Sees Progress in Negotiations

President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were moving “very nicely” and expressed confidence that the Strait of Hormuz could reopen soon.

He said US and Iranian officials held an “all-day negotiation” and added that Washington would know within 48 hours whether the discussions produced a breakthrough.

Trump also warned that the United States would respond forcefully if Iran abandoned the negotiations, reiterating that Tehran must not acquire a nuclear weapon.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also said he hoped an agreement on maritime access would be reached “very shortly.”

Regional and Global Concerns Persist

Qatar said mediation efforts continued after Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani discussed the negotiations with President Trump.

Meanwhile, Israeli officials expressed concern over Washington’s diplomatic approach, with local media reporting that some policymakers believe the Trump administration is pursuing an agreement with Iran too aggressively.

The Strait of Hormuz handles nearly 20% of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, making any disruption a major concern for international energy markets. Investors continue to monitor negotiations closely as diplomatic efforts unfold alongside rising regional security tensions.