Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will travel to Oman on Saturday with a diplomatic delegation for talks on bilateral ties and regional developments, with discussions expected to focus on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route that has seen reduced maritime traffic following US war with Iran.
Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and two people who have been heavily involved in Middle East talks – special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner , are expected to lead Saturday’s negotiations.
Araghchi is scheduled to hold talks with Omani officials on bilateral ties and the latest regional developments, especially the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, Iran’s official IRNA news agency reported.
Under the agreement, Iran and Oman are required to hold discussions with other Gulf states to determine the future administration and maritime services in the Strait.
Araghchi’s visit aims to prevent further escalation and revive stalled discussions between Tehran and Washington after a series of strikes and retaliatory actions in the region.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the talks in Muscat would focus on regional developments, particularly the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and on establishing mechanisms to guarantee the safe movement of commercial vessels.
“The foreign ministers will discuss and exchange views on establishing appropriate mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz,” Baghaei said.
US officials said Washington has demanded that Tehran issue a statement assuring that guaranteed safe passage will be provided to commercial vessels through the strategic waterway, the Strait of Hormuz, where the targeting of ships has raised concerns over global energy supplies. They said that the resumption of nuclear talks would depend on securing safe maritime passage.
US media reports, citing officials familiar with the discussions, said Iran had privately acknowledged to US President Donald Trump’s advisers that attacks on ships were a mistake, while blaming the incidents on a rogue faction within the country.
The officials did not outline specific measures Washington would take if Iran fails to provide such assurances but warned that further action remained possible.
US President Donald Trump has warned Iran against any attempt to target him, saying Washington would respond with overwhelming force if Iranian leaders pursued such action.
The warning followed intelligence shared by Israel with the Trump administration regarding threats from Iranian hardliners against the US president. However, US assessments did not indicate a new or specific plot to assassinate Trump, officials said.
Trump has also said that a previous US-Iran memorandum of understanding was no longer in effect, while indicating that diplomatic engagement with Tehran could continue.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’ We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Iranian officials have accused Washington of violating commitments linked to the nuclear issue.
Araghchi said Iran had adhered to its obligations under the agreement, while criticising US officials over what Tehran described as breaches of commitments related to sanctions and military deployments.
Iran’s chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said Tehran remained deeply distrustful of Washington but was prepared for confrontation if necessary.
“We are distrustful of the Americans,” Ghalibaf said, adding that Iran was ready for an “all-out defence” if faced with further threats.
The Strait of Hormuz, which lies between Iran and Oman, has become the centre of the latest confrontation between the two countries.
Iran has asserted its control over parts of the waterway, while the United States has said no country can restrict international navigation through the strait.
