Syria highway blockade and Iran-Oman trade deal reported

In Syria, armed groups have blocked the Damascus-Suwayda highway, disrupting travel for citizens attempting to reach examination centers in the northern Suwayda countryside. Reports indicate that local armed groups and a checkpoint operated by the ‘National Guard’—affiliated with Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hajri—prevented civilians from traveling toward the capital. While civilian vehicles were reportedly targeted and damaged, trucks carrying food, fuel, and flour from Damascus were permitted entry. This incident occurs amid ongoing security tensions in Suwayda, despite a July 2025 ceasefire agreement.

Separately, Iranian state media reports that a trade agreement between Iran and Oman has been finalized and is expected to be submitted to the Iranian Parliament for approval next month. This development follows recent threats from U.S. President Donald Trump, who stated that Oman would face military action if it cooperated with Iran regarding traffic management in the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait remains a major point of contention, with the United States asserting that Iran must not control the international waterway following previous attempts by Iran to disrupt maritime security in the region.