All mediators, including the Iranian and Qatari delegations, have left Oman in the past hour, according to reports. Oman's state news agency said Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart agreed to continue contacts to find a solution for the Strait of Hormuz issue.
All mediating parties, including the Iranian and Qatari delegations, departed Oman in the past hour, bringing the evening's talks session to a close. The departure follows the earlier exit of the Iranian delegation at 20:44 Jerusalem (as The Zioneer reported), and Oman's state news agency announcement at 21:45 Jerusalem that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and his Omani counterpart agreed to continue contacts to find a solution for the Strait of Hormuz. The latest reports confirm that all mediators have now left, rounding out the picture of the evening's events.
The talks in Oman unfolded over several hours this evening. Initial reports (Sat 19:21 Jerusalem) indicated that Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi discussed bilateral relations and navigation safety under Article 5 of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding. Shortly after, an Iranian source stated that management of the Strait of Hormuz is exclusively the responsibility of Iran and Oman, and that Qatar's presence was only to support its mediation role. Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister joined the meeting, but Tehran denied that Qatar has any influence over the strait. Separately, journalist Barak Ravid reported that the United States had set an ultimatum for the end of the weekend to reach an agreement. Later, Omani officials claimed an understanding was reached to allow free passage through the blockade, but Iran did not confirm that claim. Finally, Oman's state news agency reported that Iran agreed to continue contacts to find a solution. The latest development — the departure of all mediators — marks the formal end of the session.
The talks come amid broader US-Iran nuclear negotiations, which have included Qatari mediation and reports of far-reaching US demands. As The Zioneer has reported in recent weeks, Iran has conveyed reservations about proposed agreements, and progress has been uneven. The current talks focused specifically on the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has been accused of threatening to close.
No further rounds of talks have been announced, and the agreement remains at the level of an understanding to continue diplomatic contacts. It remains unclear whether the Omani claim of an understanding on free passage was accepted by Iran, which did not confirm it.
8 developments
- StrongIran says it will hold talks with Oman to set fees for Strait of Hormuz passage
- StrongIran says final agreement talks to start in coming days, Hormuz closure denied
- StrongQatar PM in Oman ahead of talks to open Hormuz between Gulf states and Iran
- StrongQatari delegation meets Iranian FM Araghchi in Mashhad, Iran confirms
Source and signal
- Internal intake