The United States and Iran held all-day talks on Tuesday focused primarily on restoring safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, August 5, described the talks as very good and stated that a deal may be close. At the same time, however, he threatened Tehran with severe strikes if diplomacy fails.
The negotiations are taking place largely indirectly through Oman and other regional intermediaries. Iran continues to publicly maintain that it is not negotiating directly with Washington, but only with Muscat on establishing a temporary safe maritime route. The Qatari government announced on Tuesday that intermediaries had recorded some progress. Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Qatar have also become involved in the diplomatic contacts.
According to the Iranian foreign ministry, Iran and Oman have agreed on the geographical coordinates of a corridor through which commercial vessels could transit the strait. However, questions remain over who would control the route and under what conditions traffic would resume. Iranian and regional sources indicate that Tehran is demanding the authority to manage ships entering the Persian Gulf. The United States rejects such an arrangement.
According to media reports, the preliminary deal under discussion would be valid for 60 days. Ships would use separate lanes in Iranian and Omani waters. During the transitional period, negotiations on the permanent opening of the strait, the removal of naval mines, and the resumption of talks on Iran's nuclear programme would continue. The final text of the document has not yet been published.
There is also disagreement over potential transit fees. According to sources, Iran is pushing for a fee equivalent to five to seven percent of the value of the cargo being transported. Oman is proposing a lower amount, while Washington is demanding free passage without fees. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that the United States is involved in talks between Oman and Iran on increasing the number of vessels that can safely transit the strait.
Despite the optimistic statements, the conclusion of a deal is not certain. Iran is conditioning the permanent opening of the strait on the cessation of US military operations, while Washington is demanding safe and unrestricted navigation. The talks therefore represent a genuine diplomatic shift, but not a confirmed end to the conflict.
gnews.cz - GH