United States President Donald Trump says fresh negotiations with Iran will begin on Monday as Washington makes another push for a diplomatic settlement to the conflict that has entered its sixth month.
Speaking aboard Air Force One on Sunday, Trump said he had suspended plans for fresh military strikes against Iran to allow negotiations to proceed, expressing optimism that a deal could be reached.
According to the US president, the talks will focus on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategic oil shipping routes, as well as Iran’s nuclear programme.
“Now what we’re doing is talking to them through negotiations. It begins tomorrow afternoon,” Trump told reporters, without revealing where the talks would take place or who would represent the two sides.
Trump said Iran, alongside key US allies including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, urged Washington to shelve the planned military action in favour of diplomacy.
However, Iranian state media rejected the claim that Tehran requested the United States to suspend the planned strikes.
The renewed diplomatic effort comes after weeks of escalating tensions that had raised fears of a wider regional war.
The US president had earlier threatened to launch major attacks on Iran, including strikes on critical energy infrastructure, but said over the weekend that the framework for an agreement was now within reach.
Meanwhile, Iran says it is close to reaching an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, following months of disputes over access to the vital waterway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the proposed arrangement would establish a route acceptable to both countries while protecting their sovereignty and security interests.
He, however, stressed that the agreement would not amount to a full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
The waterway has remained at the centre of the conflict since Iran tightened its control over the passage during the war, insisting that vessels use routes close to its coastline and pay transit charges, a move strongly opposed by Washington.
The renewed talks appear to have eased market concerns, with oil prices falling nearly five per cent during the opening of Asian trading after Trump’s announcement.
Despite the diplomatic progress, security concerns remain high. On Sunday, a tanker sailing off the coast of Oman reported hearing an explosion nearby, although the vessel and its crew were not affected.
The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said it was monitoring the situation.
Analysts say the latest round of negotiations will be closely watched, as both sides seek a breakthrough that could reduce tensions in the Gulf and restore stability to one of the world’s most important energy corridors.
