Iran and Oman Discuss Security and De-escalation in the Strait of Hormuz

Tehran (ANTARA) - Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held a telephone conversation on Friday to discuss de-escalation efforts and the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry. The two ministers discussed the latest developments in the region, maritime security, and the passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf. They emphasised the importance of maintaining maritime navigation security, regional cooperation, and measures to prevent escalation and achieve peace in the region. The talks follow the collapse of a ceasefire between Iran and the United States. A memorandum of understanding to halt the conflict, which began on 28 February, was signed on 18 June. However, US President Donald Trump declared on 8 July that the ceasefire was no longer in effect. Since then, the US military has launched a series of strikes against Iran. The US Central Command stated the attacks were in response to Iranian actions against commercial ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz. Iran’s military subsequently retaliated with strikes against US military bases in several Middle Eastern countries, with Tehran accusing Washington of violating the ceasefire agreement.