The latest move in the two month-long diplomatic drive came with a message from Iranian president Hassan Rouhani to Kuwaiti ruler Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah.

Rouhani visited Kuwait and Oman in February, soon after ­receiving a message from al-Sabah said to have proposed a “basis of dialogue” between regional countries.

Rouhani said Kuwait was among at least 10 countries to have offered to mediate in the confrontation, centred on the ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

Oman