Iran convened separate discussions with Saudi Arabia and Oman on Tuesday focused on the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz, as a fragile pause in hostilities with the United States appeared to hold following two weeks of military exchanges.
Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi held phone conversations with Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan and Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Al-Busaidi to discuss bilateral and regional developments, according to a statement from Iran’s Foreign Ministry posted on Telegram.
The ministry said the talks “emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region and eliminate the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz caused by the aggressive actions of the United States.”
The consultations came as strikes between Washington and Tehran entered their fifth day of pause after a temporary halt began on Friday. Markets have responded favorably to the cessation of hostilities, with equities rallying and oil prices declining on Monday as investors weighed the possibility of a more durable peace agreement.
Regional Military Activity Continues
Despite the U.S.-Iran pause, other actors in the region have maintained military operations. Saudi Arabia reported overnight that it had intercepted multiple drones allegedly launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq targeting the kingdom’s oil infrastructure.
However, the Iraqi militias have not claimed responsibility for the attempted strikes. According to Reuters, Yemen’s Houthis said they had attacked Saudi oil facilities, leaving uncertainty about who was behind the drone operations.
Jordan’s military also reported downing a drone in its airspace overnight.
Conflicting Signals on Negotiations
President Donald Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Monday that “good talks” with Iran were underway. Iran’s foreign ministry continued to deny that any direct negotiations with the United States were taking place, though it suggested messages are being exchanged through intermediaries.
Trump warned that U.S. strikes would resume if talks failed to produce results. At a campaign rally in Michigan, he struck a more aggressive tone regarding Iran.
“You can’t bribe them. You’ve got to beat them, and we’ll beat the hell out of them,” Trump told the rally crowd. “But we’ll see how it turns out. Right now, there are very friendly negotiations going on.”
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a vital chokepoint for global oil shipments, with roughly one-fifth of the world’s petroleum passing through the narrow waterway between Iran and Oman. Any prolonged closure or military confrontation in the strait has the potential to disrupt global energy markets and drive oil prices sharply higher.
The involvement of Saudi Arabia and Oman in discussions with Iran signals regional powers are seeking to play a role in de-escalating tensions and protecting the critical shipping lane from further disruption.
Source: www.cnbc.com — https://www.cnbc.com/2026/07/28/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz.html
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Do your own research and consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
