Mediators announced on Monday that cease-fire talks between the United States and Iran have achieved "significant" progress. President Trump conveyed optimism regarding the outcome but cautioned that a breakdown in negotiations could lead to a renewal of hostilities.
The US is collaborating with Qatar, Pakistan, and Egypt to facilitate ongoing discussions between Iran and Oman concerning the future of the Strait of Hormuz. Sources indicated that President Trump has paused daily US airstrikes on Iran over the weekend and stated he has no set deadline for reaching a deal, emphasizing that he has "plenty of time."
"We’re having good talks, so we’ll see what happens," Trump told reporters. "I think there’s a good chance that something could happen, and if it does, good. If it doesn’t, we go back to doing what we were doing two days ago."
Officials from Oman and Iran confirmed progress on establishing a management system for the Strait of Hormuz. However, proposals for collecting fees for services in the waterway could potentially complicate negotiations. One such proposal suggests Iran and Oman would collect service fees for maintaining maritime security along the strait, which facilitates the transport of 20% of the world's oil supply. Another idea draws parallels to the management of the Strait of Malacca, where Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore collect fees for specific services.
The Trump administration has previously maintained that the Strait of Hormuz should remain open and free to all, as it was prior to the recent conflict. The US has targeted Iranian military infrastructure threatening the strait, with daily attacks halted over the weekend.
"The talks are continuing and focused on ways to enhance the prospects for reaching practical, fair, and sustainable arrangements for maritime navigation... through the Strait of Hormuz," Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi stated. While the direct negotiations are between Iran and Oman, President Trump asserted that the US is directly involved at Tehran's request.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, stated that while talks with mediators are underway, striking a swift deal with the US "is not in our DNA." Iran's state-run media reported that the country continued to intercept ships in the Strait of Hormuz on Monday.
