Iran Says Hormuz Talks With Oman Are Advancing

Iran said on Sunday that it has made progress in discussions with Oman on the management of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway that serves as a key route for global oil and gas shipments and is bordered by both countries.

The latest round of talks comes after the United States resumed military strikes on Iran in an effort to end Tehran’s control of the strait, despite a memorandum of understanding signed in June that had briefly eased tensions.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said deputy foreign ministers from both countries held several rounds of negotiations in Tehran on Friday and Saturday.

According to him, the discussions focused on shared principles and practical arrangements to ensure the safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz while respecting the sovereignty of both Iran and Oman.

Baqaei described the negotiations as productive, saying the two sides had made progress and would continue technical and political consultations.

The talks follow discussions in June during which Iran and Oman explored the possibility of introducing service fees for vessels using the waterway, a proposal opposed by Washington.

Muscat had also indicated that ships could use Omani waters to transit the strait, a position that drew objections from Tehran and contributed to renewed tensions.

Iran said on Saturday that it had not recorded any US attacks after nearly two weeks of strikes.

According to news site Axios, the Pentagon had proposed another night of airstrikes against Iran, but US President Donald Trump reportedly declined to approve the operation in favour of renewed diplomatic engagement.

The report said Trump paused the strikes after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran for talks on a new arrangement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Responding to questions on the status of maritime traffic, Baqaei said there had been no change in shipping activity through the waterway.

Meanwhile, Iranian state television reported that the country’s armed forces stopped six vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday after issuing warnings over the previous 24 hours.