U.S & Iran Report Progress In Strait Of Hormuz Talks But Differerences Remain On Key Points

Senior Diplomats from the U.S and Qatar stated that considerable progress is being made to restore the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.

After this statement, oil prices fell by 2%; however, the Strait of Hormuz remains one of the most dangerous places for navigation and is currently closed to shipping

The US Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, assured when asked by media that the deal could be formalised as early as tomorrow so everyone could move towards a more normalised position in the conflict.

U.S President Donald Trump also said that a breakthrough was imminent; however, Iran quickly denied being involved in any kind of direct talks with the U.S.

Qatar’s ‌foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, said Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were mediating and exchanging draft proposals between Washington and Tehran. He said diplomatic contacts had reached “very progressive stages”.

However, Pakistan and Qatar are not directly involved in the negotiations, which have recently been between Iran and Oman to discuss a temporary transit scheme for ships to enter and leave the Gulf region.

After the MOU broke down, ships which took the route along the Omani coast to cross the Strait of Hormuz were targeted by Iran, since they had not taken approval from Iranian authorities.

According to diplomats who spoke on the condition of anonymity, Oman is under pressure from the United States, Europe and other Gulf countries to accept Iran’s proposed scheme to allow ships to enter the Gulf via a route close to the Iranian coast and then leave through a southern route along the shores of Oman, which would be jointly controlled and managed with Iran.

The Government of Oman is not happy with the proposal and is resisting it out of fear that it could become permanent and give Iran control over the sea routes passing through Omani waters.

The issue regarding Iran’s demand to charge ships a toll or other service fee will be decided during a 60-day negotiation period in which its nuclear program would also be addressed.