Iran, Oman Report Progress in Strait of Hormuz Talks Amid US Strikes
Iran announced on Sunday that it has made progress in negotiations with Oman regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments that both countries border.
The talks, held in Tehran on Friday and Saturday, involved deputy foreign ministers from both sides. Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the discussions focused on “common principles and operational mechanisms” to ensure safe passage for shipping while respecting the sovereign rights of Iran and Oman.
Baqaei described the talks as “useful” and stated that progress had been achieved, adding that “technical and political consultations between the two sides were continuing.”
The latest round of negotiations comes after the United States resumed military strikes on Iran in an effort to challenge Tehran’s influence over the strait. In June, Iran and Oman had signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at easing tensions, which briefly led to a reduction in hostilities.
According to news site Axios, the Pentagon presented US President Donald Trump with a plan for a 14th consecutive night of strikes, but he declined to authorise it in favour of renewed talks. The report said Trump ordered a halt to attacks after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran “for talks on a new arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.”
Oman had previously stated that ships could transit the strait via its waters, a stance that angered Iran and led to a pattern of escalation. Tehran responded by asserting its control and, on Saturday, said it had not recorded any US attacks after nearly two weeks of strikes.
On Sunday, Iran’s armed forces stopped six vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz after warnings over the past 24 hours, according to state television. Baqaei, responding to a separate question, said there had been “no change” in the status of shipping traffic through the strait.
The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea. About 20% of the world’s oil passes through it, making its security a matter of global economic importance. Both Iran and Oman have sought to assert their rights over the waterway, with Iran historically controlling access.
The talks in Tehran are part of broader efforts to find a diplomatic solution to the standoff, though positions remain divergent. Washington opposes any move by Iran and Oman to impose service fees on vessels, a possibility raised after the June memorandum. Oman has sought to mediate between Iran and the United States, hosting previous negotiations.
