US-Iran talks: talks stall as military pause enters third day | Today’s news
Diplomatic efforts to prevent a wider conflict between the United States and Iran accelerated on Monday as a pause in hostilities entered its third day, although Tehran said it was not in direct talks with Washington and denied reports of an agreed truce.
The military lull began after the US halted airstrikes against Iran on Friday, with senior officials reportedly informing President Donald Trump that the bombing campaign had reached its limits, according to Axios. Iran also suspended retaliatory military operations, creating space for diplomatic engagement through intermediaries.
However, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had not engaged in direct talks with the United States, Reuters reported.
Quick answers to key questions
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US-Iran talks are ongoing, but not direct, as Iran has said it is not participating in talks with the US. Diplomatic efforts continue through intermediaries, notably Oman.
The Strait of Hormuz is crucial because it is a key transit route for global oil supplies. The two countries are negotiating to reopen it amid military tensions and related diplomatic efforts.
The US suspended strikes against Iran and Iran halted its retaliatory operations, creating a temporary military lull that allowed diplomatic engagement primarily through Oman.
Key outstanding issues include Iran’s nuclear program, US sanctions, Iran’s support for proxy groups and long-term security arrangements in the Persian Gulf, complicating any potential deal.
While direct negotiations could potentially facilitate a solution, Iran has said it prefers to continue discussions through mediators, underscoring the complexity of US-Iranian relations.
“We are not currently in any negotiations with the United States,” Baghaei said, adding that mediators were continuing to exchange messages between the two sides.
He also dismissed reports that Iran had agreed to a 10-day ceasefire.
Read also | An oil tanker exploded after hitting a sea mine in Hormuz, Iranian media say
Oman is emerging as a key intermediary
Negotiations are currently focused on Oman, which has emerged as the main mediator between Washington and Tehran.
According to Iranian officials, recent discussions with representatives of Oman have focused on the future of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil reserves pass under normal conditions.
Baghaei described the talks with Oman as “useful” but said the situation in the Strait of Hormuz had not changed and that the waterway was still closed.
The biggest obstacle remains the Strait of Hormuz
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz became the most immediate goal of diplomatic efforts.
The United States has prioritized restoring maritime security and commercial navigation on the waterway, while Iran has tied any reopening to broader political and security arrangements.
Shipping normalization will be key to global energy markets, reports say, even as broader policy disagreements remain unresolved.
Oil prices fell sharply on Monday as investors welcomed a temporary pause in the fighting.
Read also | Can Lasting Middle East Peace Push Nifty To Record Highs?
Bigger issues remain unresolved
Despite the military pause, negotiators still face several contentious issues before any comprehensive agreement can be reached.
These include Iran’s nuclear program, US sanctions against Tehran, Iran’s support for regional proxy groups and long-term security measures in the Persian Gulf.
The absence of direct U.S.-Iranian talks continues to complicate progress, with messages currently being exchanged through intermediaries rather than face-to-face meetings, CNBC reported.
Tensions continue from the Red to the Caspian Sea
While the United States and Iran suspended direct military operations, violence continued elsewhere in the region.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly carried out strikes on Iran-backed Houthi targets in Yemen following attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, while Ukraine said it struck an Iranian merchant vessel in the Caspian Sea that was said to be carrying military cargo for Russia.
