The Guardian Middle East
leftREPORTUS and Qatar report progress on Iran ceasefire and reopening Hormuz strait

Optimism echoes Trump’s claims on Monday that deal is close as mediators say they are exchanging proposals Middle East crisis live – latest updatesUS and Qatari officials have said progress is being made in restoring a ceasefire in the US-Iran war and reopening the strait of Hormuz. The optimistic speculation on Tuesday brought oil prices down 2%, but the strait remained closed to shipping and a cargo vessel was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile off Oman’s coast close to the strait
Full BriefGenerated 2d ago
What Happened
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Qatari officials reported progress in negotiations aimed at restoring a ceasefire and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which has been closed to shipping since the breakdown of a June memorandum of understanding. Despite these claims, Tehran denied engaging in direct talks with the US. On Monday night, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that an unidentified cargo vessel was struck by a projectile off the coast of Oman near the strait, highlighting the continued volatility in the region.
Key Actors
- ·Scott Bessent(US Treasury Secretary)Stated that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and normalize the conflict could be reached within days.
- ·Majed al-Ansari(Qatar Foreign Ministry Spokesperson)Confirmed that Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman are mediating and exchanging draft proposals between Washington and Tehran.
- ·Iranian Foreign Ministry(Iranian government body)Reportedly favors a deal to reopen the strait, contrasting with the opposition of regime hardliners.
- ·Oman(Regional mediator)Resisting a proposed temporary shipping scheme due to concerns over ceding long-term control of sea routes in its waters to Tehran.
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz serves as a critical maritime chokepoint for approximately 20% of global oil and liquified natural gas supplies. The ongoing closure and the reported strike on a vessel underscore the risk of a broader regional conflict, with Saudi Arabia and other regional actors expressing concern that hardline factions within Iran may actively sabotage diplomatic efforts to prevent a de-escalation.
Watch For
Monitor the outcome of the 60-day negotiating period proposed in the draft scheme, as well as any further maritime incidents near the Omani coast that could derail the mediation efforts led by Qatar, Pakistan, and Oman.
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This page aggregates and summarizes reporting from The Guardian Middle East. The Conflict Pulse does not author original reporting. Read the original source for full coverage.
CONFLICT OVERVIEW
Iran
Latest verified updates on Iran’s regional confrontation, U.S.–Israeli strikes, missile retaliation, proxy networks, sanctions, and Strait of Hormuz risks.
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