Iran in talks with Oman over shipping route but not US, says Tehran

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>Iran discussing creation of temporary route through strait of Hormuz with its neighbour, says spokesperson</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2026/aug/03/us-iran-trump-strait-of-hormuz-talks-israel-gaza-lebanon-latest-news-updates">Middle East crisis live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Iran has been in discussion with Oman about the creation of a new temporary route through the strait of Hormuz that would allow commercial shipping to resume, but is not yet reviving talks with the US, Tehran’s foreign ministry spokesperson said on Monday.</p><p>Esmail Baghaei was responding to claims by Donald Trump that talks between the two sides covering all the major disputes between them could restart as early as Monday. Trump claimed he held off from launching the biggest strike on any country “since world war two” over the weekend after Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, rang him to urge diplomacy. Trump said the cancellation was conditional on Iran reaching a deal quickly.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/03/iran-in-talks-with-oman-over-shipping-route-but-not-us-says-tehran">Continue reading...</a> This development from The Guardian highlights ongoing changes in the sector.