KABUL (Pajhwok): US President Donald Trump says negotiations between Washington and Tehran are “going very well” and has expressed hope that shipping through the Strait of Hormuz will resume soon.
Reuters reported that Trump told Fox News the two sides held talks on Tuesday.
He said: “The Strait of Hormuz will reopen very soon,” but warned that if Iran withdrew from the negotiations, it would face a strong response from the United States.
The remarks come amid growing hopes for an agreement aimed at ending five months of conflict between Iran and the United States. Following the reports, global oil prices fell, while stock markets rose on optimism over progress in the negotiations.
Axios, citing two regional sources and a US official, reported that Washington and Tehran, with Omani mediation, were close to reaching a temporary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, which could be announced soon.
However, Iranian state media, quoting an informed source, reported that as long as the United States continued threatening Iran, any agreement on the Strait of Hormuz would be delayed.
Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, said talks with Oman on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz had been “positive” and were continuing. He added that the discussions were focused on ensuring safe navigation while safeguarding the sovereign rights and security interests of Iran and Oman.
The office of the Amir of Qatar also said Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Donald Trump discussed efforts to ease tensions between the United States and Iran and reach a lasting solution during a telephone conversation.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy transit routes, carrying around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports. Disruptions to shipping following the outbreak of hostilities have raised concerns about global energy security and international trade.
hz/kk
