A new preliminary agreement is being drafted that would prioritise the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a former Pakistani official with knowledge of the negotiations told The National.
“Messages are being passed. Indirect talks are in an advanced stage,” the official said. The focus was on “opening the Strait of Hormuz and keeping it open”, they added.
Pakistan has been acting as mediator for the talks, exchanging messages between Washington and Tehran.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said Washington and Tehran were engaged in “very good discussions”, but warned Iran it would face severe consequences if it backed away from a potential deal.
Separately, he told reporters that talks with Iran are “moving along nicely”.
“We'll know in 48 hours,” he said.
Iran and Oman have been engaging in talks on opening new routes for shipping, including a proposed “middle corridor” that would replace the current plan. Speaking to Axios, two regional sources and a US official confirmed that the US, Iran and Oman are close to reaching an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz.
“The US wants assurances about 'all sea lanes' being kept open for trade and passage,” the Pakistani source said.
The US and Iran reached an initial preliminary agreement in mid-June that ushered in a fragile ceasefire and established the framework for 60 days of talks on a broader settlement.
Iran says US threats delaying deal
The agreement unravelled, however, after Iran attacked oil tankers in and around the Strait of Hormuz, leading to a renewed exchange of fire.
Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have been carrying attacks in the Red Sea, mainly on Saudi-flagged vessels, but it is unclear whether that issue will be directly addressed in the updated preliminary agreement.
Iran has only confirmed that it is in talks with Oman and has denied holding similar discussions with the US. An Iranian media outlet affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Mr Trump's threats to resume attacks were slowing progress.
Citing an Iranian source, Sepahnews said the “main reason” for delays in reaching an understanding with Oman was “America’s interference and Trump’s threats”. The official said negotiations could not move forward while Tehran faced the prospect of military action.
“As long as US interference and threats of military attack against Iran continue, the agreement will be delayed,” the source was quoted as saying.
The official added that Iran would not accept any arrangement “under the shadow of threats”.
Mr Trump had accused Iran of being “duplicitous” in the process. Over the past few days, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has spoken with officials in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Pakistan – in some cases more than once.
