Iran says Oman talks on Hormuz management are making progress

Iran said it had made progress in talks with Oman on managing the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway important for oil and gas trade that both countries border.

Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said several rounds of negotiations were held in Tehran on Friday and Saturday between Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers. He said the discussions covered common principles and operational mechanisms for safe shipping through the strait while respecting the sovereign rights of both states.

Baqaei described the talks as useful and said progress had been made. He added that technical and political consultations between Iran and Oman were continuing.

The talks came after the United States resumed attacks on Iran in an effort to end Tehran's control of the strait, following a June memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war that had briefly reduced tensions.

In June, Oman and Iran said they would discuss service fees, a step opposed by Washington. Muscat also said ships could pass through Hormuz via Omani waters, angering Tehran, which responded with escalation.

Iran said on Saturday that it had not recorded any US attacks after nearly two weeks of strikes. Axios reported that the Pentagon presented US President Donald Trump with a plan for a 14th consecutive night of strikes, but that he declined to authorise it in favour of renewed talks. The report said Trump ordered a hold on fire after an Omani delegation arrived in Tehran for talks on a new arrangement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

Baqaei said there had been no change in the status of shipping traffic through the strait. Iran's state television reported that, on Sunday, Iran's armed forces stopped six vessels that were attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz after warnings over the previous 24 hours.