Iran says Hormuz talks with Oman advance as US sustains pressure campaign
Tehran reports progress with Oman on shipping safeguards while condemning US military actions and warning regional states against supporting Washington
TEHRAN, Iran (MNTV) — Iran said Sunday that negotiations with Oman have made progress on operational mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran pursues diplomatic efforts to safeguard one of the world’s most important shipping routes despite continued military and economic pressure from the United States.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers held several rounds of talks in Tehran on Friday and Saturday, focusing on common principles and operational arrangements to guarantee secure navigation through the strategic waterway.
“The two sides exchanged views on common principles and operational mechanisms for the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz,” Baqaei said, according to the semi-official Fars News Agency.
He described the discussions as productive, saying meaningful progress had been achieved, while adding that technical and political consultations between Tehran and Muscat would continue after the Omani delegation concluded its visit on Saturday evening.
Iran also stressed that maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has continued without major disruption despite months of heightened regional tensions, maintaining that commercial shipping remains unaffected as diplomatic engagement continues.
The Strait of Hormuz has become the focal point of escalating tensions since the United States and Israel launched a military campaign against Iran on Feb. 28, triggering a conflict that threatened one of the world’s most critical energy corridors.
Following mediation by Pakistan and Qatar, Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding in June that included a ceasefire and opened the door for negotiations on a broader settlement.
However, the truce collapsed after US President Donald Trump declared it over on July 8, resuming military pressure against Iran and reigniting regional instability.
Washington has demanded that Iran halt attacks on commercial shipping and guarantee unrestricted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran insists that vessel movements should operate under security mechanisms coordinated by Iran as the coastal state responsible for the strategic waterway.
Reports by Axios and The New York Times said Trump has instructed the US military to pause plans for additional large-scale strikes on Iran after nearly two weeks of sustained attacks.
The reports said the decision was driven by concerns over dwindling US air defense missile stockpiles, mounting costs and growing doubts about the effectiveness of further military escalation.
US officials are nevertheless said to be maintaining contingency plans should hostilities resume.
Iranian officials argue that Washington has failed to achieve its military objectives despite months of warfare.
Army spokesperson Gen. Abolfazl Shekarchi said the United States had been unable to weaken Iran or secure its strategic goals in the Strait of Hormuz, claiming Washington is now searching for a new approach after its campaign failed to produce the intended results.
Meanwhile, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) warned that any country assisting future US military operations against Iran would become a legitimate target.
An IRGC spokesperson accused Britain of facilitating American air operations by allowing US bombers to use British facilities, warning that any state supporting future attacks would face consequences.
The warning came as Kuwait rejected reports alleging it had participated in military strikes against Iran.
Kuwait’s ambassador to the United States described the claims as baseless, insisting Kuwait neither took part in offensive operations nor allowed its territory, airspace or territorial waters to be used for attacks on Iran.
Despite growing international calls for diplomacy, the United States has maintained its naval blockade targeting Iran. US Central Command said American forces continue intercepting and redirecting commercial vessels as part of operations aimed at enforcing restrictions on maritime traffic linked to Iran.
Iranian military officials also claimed they inflicted extensive damage on US military infrastructure in Iraq’s Erbil region during the recent conflict and said the country has begun deploying more advanced attack drones with greater range and destructive capability than previously disclosed systems. Those battlefield claims have not been independently verified.
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