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Final-stage Hormuz talks
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiations between Tehran and Muscat over the Strait of Hormuz are “nearing completion,” as the US called off an attack to allow diplomacy.
“Negotiations between Iran and Oman over Hormuz in final stages, Tehran says”
Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency reported Araghchi told the cabinet that the talks are “nearing completion and in their final stages,” without providing further specifics.
The dispute sits alongside US President Donald Trump’s claim that he canceled a planned military strike against Iran after Tehran and “other Middle Eastern countries” requested time to finalize the framework of a peace deal.
Trump said the sides agreed to the “perimeters” of a potential deal that would include the “immediate, complete, and total” reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.
Iranian military officials dismissed Trump’s claim that Tehran asked for a halt to a planned US attack as a “lie,” and said Iranian forces remained at the “highest level of readiness.”
Two-sided messaging and denials
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran and Muscat were close to reaching a deal on a new maritime route through Hormuz, and insisted it was “separate from existing corridors.”
Baqaei told state television, “We are now going to reach an understanding on a route acceptable to both sides – neither the northern route nor the southern route,” and said it safeguards “our national interests and security.”
The Express Tribune reported Iranian military officials said Trump’s claim that Iran asked for the attacks to be halted is “merely another lie and a desperate attempt to blackmail Gulf rulers.”
Separately, a source close to Iran’s negotiating team denied reports of an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, telling Fars News Agency, “No agreement has been reached on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.”
What’s at stake next
Iran’s position is that any understanding with Oman on a new route “does not mean that the Strait of Hormuz will be opened or remain closed,” according to Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei.
““an understanding between Iran and Oman on a new route has nothing to do with whether the Strait of Hormuz is reopened or remains closed””
Al Jazeera reported Baqaei saying, “an understanding between Iran and Oman on a new route has nothing to do with whether the Strait of Hormuz is reopened or remains closed,” while Tehran blamed the US for closure.
Trump’s cancellation of the planned strike is framed as contingent on rapid deal-making, with his Truth Social post saying the attack would be canceled “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”
The Express Tribune also reported that Iranian forces would respond if “confrontation becomes inevitable,” with officials saying “the battlefield will be decisive” and that “everyone will understand who holds the power and who will have the final say.”
