Mediators from Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar are pushing a proposal to revive the memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran, which The Times of Israel reports is near acceptance. Tehran has not confirmed any progress, and its deputy foreign minister says Iran has asked Washington for nothing.
Talks to revive the US-Iran memorandum of understanding have reportedly picked up pace, with regional mediators advocating for a breakthrough. Tehran, however, has yet to acknowledge any progress, and conflicting reports have surfaced about whether talks are happening at all.
The plan is said to cover the differences over activities in the Strait of Hormuz, which have been cited as a reason for the delay in the deal signed last month. Pakistan, Egypt and Qatar have reportedly played a key role in the discussions.
Hormuz reading splits Washington and Tehran
Iran says the deal gives it some control over the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States has taken a different interpretation. The proposal aims to resolve those discrepancies.
Sources close to the talks indicate Iran and Oman have already signalled their approval. The rest of the choice is likely to rest with US President Donald Trump after his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. If the plan gets a green light, both sides may be able to start talks before the MoU's 60-day period expires next month.
Tehran says Washington asked first
Iranian officials have publicly denied that Tehran has been seeking new talks with Washington. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said Iran has made no requests for negotiations or a ceasefire with the US in the past 17 days.
Instead, according to Gharibabadi: "the US has desperately requested dialogue with Iran", offering a message through Oman that it would not resort to military measures against Iran. He also said Omani authorities had offered to invite another nation to clear mines from the southern part of the strait, a proposal Iran refused to join.
Separately, Gharibabadi said Iran turned down Oman's proposal for an equal division of shipping management in the strait, suggesting instead a temporary route under Tehran's authority that would let it control inbound traffic and part of the outbound lane.
Trump weighs Iran after Netanyahu meeting
The diplomatic moves follow Trump's separate Washington talks with Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, both of which the White House described as positive and productive.
Those talks were likely to be largely about Iran, an issue on which Netanyahu and Trump have been at odds in recent months. After the meeting, Netanyahu told Israeli media the two had reached an understanding of a shared goal of ensuring that Iran does not have nuclear weapons, along with other goals.
Sources: CoinGape, Crypto Briefing
Trading involves risk.
Risk Disclaimer
