Fresh diplomatic efforts may be easing tensions in the Middle East as Iran says it is close to reaching an agreement with Oman over a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after U.S. President Donald Trump announced the suspension of planned military strikes to allow negotiations to continue.
The latest development comes amid renewed international efforts to prevent further escalation in the conflict between Iran, the United States and Israel.
On Saturday, Trump revealed that the United States and Israel had agreed to postpone planned attacks on Iran, saying progress had been made toward a possible agreement.
“We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.
“Based on this request… I have agreed… to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL,” he added.
However, Iranian state media rejected Trump’s claim that Tehran requested the suspension of the strikes.
Hormuz Talks Gain Momentum
Speaking on Sunday, Iranian lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesperson for the parliament’s national security commission, confirmed that discussions were ongoing to revive the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, a framework first agreed in June.
According to him, the Strait of Hormuz remains the central issue in the negotiations.
“They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views,” Ghashghavi said.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also signalled optimism, stressing the need to ensure all parties honour any future agreement.
“We must strive to compel the enemy to remain committed to what it has signed,” Pezeshkian wrote on X.
Iran, Oman Discuss New Shipping Route
Iran’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that talks with Oman were making significant progress.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said both countries were working on a mutually acceptable shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz.
“We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides — neither the northern route nor the southern route — but one that respects the sovereign rights of both sides and safeguards our national interests and security,” Baqaei said.
He clarified, however, that the proposed agreement does not mean Iran has agreed to fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The strategic waterway is one of the world’s busiest oil and gas shipping routes, making developments in the area closely watched by global energy markets.
According to maritime analytics firm Kpler, vessel traffic through the Strait has already dropped significantly following the recent escalation in hostilities.
The United States has maintained that any long-term agreement must include the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and measures to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear programme, which Tehran insists is for peaceful civilian purposes.
Diplomatic efforts are expected to continue in the coming days as both sides seek to avoid another round of military confrontation.
Source: AFP
