Qatar in talks with Iran, Oman to reopen Hormuz Strait: Report

Trilateral Negotiations in Muscat

Qatari diplomats have joined Iranian and Omani officials in Muscat for discussions aimed at securing the partial reopening of the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Axios reported on Saturday, citing a diplomat with direct knowledge of the negotiations.

The talks are exploring a potential agreement to open the median lane of the waterway — which lies in international waters — to full and free navigation, according to the report. The negotiations come as ABC News reported Friday that Iranian officials privately acknowledged that firing on vessels in the strait was a "mistake," paving the way for renewed dialogue with Washington.

US-Iran Tensions Escalate

US President Donald Trump stated earlier this week that Iranian leaders had expressed interest in returning to negotiations, a claim Tehran subsequently denied. Trump added that even if talks resume, the ceasefire is "over," his comments coming as both sides exchanged attacks over the past two days following Iranian strikes on three commercial vessels in the strategic chokepoint.

The recent violence has threatened a Pakistani-brokered framework deal reached in mid-June intended to end the military conflict and establish lasting peace. Tehran launched retaliatory strikes Thursday on US military infrastructure in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Jordan following consecutive American attacks, further complicating the diplomatic push in Oman.