Washington, D.C.: The United States and Iran are expected to resume indirect diplomatic engagement this week, with President Donald Trump indicating that another round of negotiations is likely to take place on Monday through regional mediators. The move is being seen as a fresh attempt to reduce tensions and revive dialogue between the two countries.
Speaking to journalists, Trump said communication with Tehran has continued through intermediary nations despite strained relations. He revealed that diplomatic outreach involving Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Iran played a crucial role in preventing what he described as a major US military operation from going ahead.
Trump also voiced optimism about reaching an understanding over the future of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes. According to him, discussions are also progressing on measures related to Iran’s nuclear programme, with both sides working toward a possible denuclearisation agreement.
Reports in Israeli media suggest that regional mediators are attempting to restore a memorandum of understanding negotiated last month. The proposed arrangement would keep the Strait of Hormuz open to international shipping without tolls for a period of 60 days, helping ensure uninterrupted movement of global energy supplies.
At the same time, Iranian state media reported that Tehran and Oman are close to finalising a joint operational framework for managing activities in the strategically significant waterway. Officials from both countries are said to be completing discussions on the mechanism governing maritime operations.
Previous negotiations on the issue failed after disagreements over the interpretation of the proposed agreement. While Washington has maintained that the Strait of Hormuz should remain permanently open for international navigation, Iran has consistently argued that any arrangement must recognise its sovereign authority over the waterway.
The upcoming diplomatic engagement is expected to test whether both sides can bridge long-standing differences on regional security, maritime access and Iran’s nuclear programme. Any breakthrough could help ease geopolitical tensions in the Gulf, where the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical route for a significant share of the world’s oil exports.
