Iran, Oman deal for Strait of Hormuz could be ‘very bad outcome’ for US: former defense secretary

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Saturday that a ship affiliated with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company was targeted by Iran as it traveled through the Strait of Hormuz. 

"The United Arab Emirates has strongly condemned and denounced the hostile Iranian attack involving a missile that targeted a carrier affiliated with ADNOC as it transited through the Strait of Hormuz, with no injuries reported,” the ministry said. 

“The Ministry emphasized that targeting commercial shipping and using the Strait of Hormuz as a tool of economic coercion or blackmail represents acts of piracy by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, and constitutes a direct threat to the stability of the region, its peoples, and global energy security,” it added. 

ADNOC said Friday that 15 of its ships have been attacked by missiles and drones while traveling through the Strait of Hormuz since the conflict with Iran began in late February, according to Reuters. 

Three of those ships reportedly were attacked this week, and overall, the attacks have left one crew member dead and 20 injured. 

Israel and Lebanon have reached an agreement on a shortlist of countries that could send troops to the Middle East to verify the disarmament of the terrorist group Hezbollah under a U.S.-mediated peace framework, a report said. 

The list was generated during meetings between both sides at the U.S. embassy in Rome this week, where the latest negotiations were held on how to implement the June 26 deal that ties Israel’s withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon to the disarmament of Hezbollah, which would be overseen by a third party, according to Reuters. 

"We have reached a short list of countries. We decided which parties were impossible for each and set the potential actors," a Lebanese official told Reuters. "The Americans will now decide, and could pick more than one country." 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a joint statement in late July that “The IDF will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon and will continue to destroy any terror infrastructure in order to prevent any attempt by Hezbollah to rebuild its capabilities.” 

Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper warned Friday that a potential arrangement giving Iran and Oman roles in administering traffic through the Strait of Hormuz could be a “very bad outcome” for the United States.

Speaking on Fox News' “America Reports,” Esper said reports indicate Tehran and Muscat are nearing an agreement that could divide passage through the strategic waterway, with a northern route into the Persian Gulf and a southern route along Oman’s coast.

“They may or may not charge a fee, but they would administer and control it in one way, shape, or form, which would be a very bad outcome for us,” Esper said.

Esper noted that President Donald Trump has said he is personally involved in negotiations, while Iranian officials have publicly disputed direct U.S. participation.

“I think what we’re waiting for now is to find out, is there a deal between Oman and Iran, and to what degree did the United States play a role or has a role in it,” Esper said.

Yesterday's Fox News Digital live blog offers additional coverage of the conflict with Iran.