MUSCAT — Qatari officials have joined talks between Iran and Oman in Muscat on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported Saturday, citing a diplomat familiar with the negotiations.
According to the report, the parties are discussing a possible statement supporting the full reopening of the strait’s median shipping lane, which lies in international waters, to allow the unrestricted movement of commercial vessels.
The talks come as diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions continue following renewed hostilities in the Gulf.
ABC News reported Friday that negotiations between the United States and Iran are expected to resume after Iranian officials privately acknowledged that attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz had been “a mistake.”
Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump said Iran had expressed interest in returning to negotiations with Washington, although Tehran later denied the claim. Trump also said that even if talks resume, the previous ceasefire was “over.”
Iran and the United States reached a Pakistani-brokered framework agreement in mid-June aimed at ending their military confrontation and paving the way for a broader peace deal.
Despite the agreement, both sides exchanged attacks over the past two days after Iranian strikes targeted three commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz.
Tehran also launched strikes Thursday against US military facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan in retaliation for a second consecutive night of US attacks.
Source: Saudi Gazette