Iran-GCC summit: What’s behind the meeting, why is Bahrain not attending?

Iran says a meeting between Iraq and the Gulf countries will be held in Oman on Monday to discuss the Strait of Hormuz, which remains under Tehran’s blockade amid the diplomatic deadlock with the United States.Global energy supplies have been disrupted due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, impacting countries around the world. The blockade has particularly affected Gulf countries, which depend on oil and gas for vast majority of their budgets.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Why US-Iran war over Hormuz is threatening the Gulf’s waterslist 2 of 3Houthis, Yemeni forces engaged in fierce battles: Why each front matterslist 3 of 3Iran claims to have captured a US ‘sail drone’ near Hormuz Straitend of listIn a statement on Friday, Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the meeting is intended to “promote better understanding among the countries of the region and help strengthen shared regional security”.But Bahrain, a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), has said it will not participate in the planned meeting. Bahrain has borne the brunt of Iranian attacks since the US and Israel launched the war on Iran in February.So what’s behind the meeting and why won’...