Iran and the US are not currently holding direct negotiations, and Tehran does not plan any such move as long as Washington continues to violate the interim agreement signed in June, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stated. He also clarified that communication between the two countries is maintained exclusively through messages passed via intermediaries.
The foreign minister reaffirmed Iran's official stance regarding the Strait of Hormuz. Discussions between Tehran and Muscat are in their final stage; however, that agreement does not provide for the reopening of this strategically important waterway.
More recently, a senior US official reported that significant progress had been made in talks between Oman and Iran, with the parties set to reach a final agreement very soon. According to the official, following an announcement on the full restoration of commercial navigation, the US is prepared to lift its blockade on Iranian ports.
The situation between the US and Iran demonstrates just how fragile the arrangements reached between the parties are. The statement regarding the violation of the June agreement effectively freezes the possibility of direct dialogue, pushing the process back into the realm of mediated communication.
At the same time, developments surrounding the Strait of Hormuz present conflicting signals. Optimistic statements from Washington regarding the lifting of the port blockade contrast with Tehran's cautious stance, which does not yet envisage the full reopening of the waterway. The main question remains whether Oman's mediation will suffice to bring the parties to a mutual agreement, or if regional commercial shipping will continue to be a zone of tension.
