- Trump says the war 'can't go much longer', indicating urgency in the ongoing negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran has denied holding direct talks with the US, stating it is negotiating solely with Oman about the Strait of Hormuz.
- Iran is in talks with Oman to finalize a deal on the Strait of Hormuz, claiming a deal is 'on the verge of being finalised' after agreeing on route coordinates.
- Trump cancelled a planned large-scale military attack on Iran, asserting that a diplomatic breakthrough was close.
- A memorandum of understanding was signed on June 17 between Iran and the US, but disagreements over routes led to Iran firing at ships and the US resuming attacks.
- Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in early March following US-Israeli strikes, impacting shipping traffic significantly.
- Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped significantly, from 50 vessels the previous week to 33 vessels between Monday and Thursday.
- Analysts warn that US missile shortages are straining military operations and increasing danger for US personnel in the region.
- Trump's pattern of escalating and then cancelling attacks on Iran has eroded credibility for negotiations, according to analysts.
President Trump expressed optimism about the war with Iran, suggesting it may conclude soon, stating, “I think it’s going to end pretty soon. I don’t think they can go much longer.” However, Iran has denied engaging in direct talks with the U.S., focusing instead on negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz.1234569
According to Alan Eyre from the Middle East Institute, Iran is prioritizing discussions with Oman, as it “can’t count on anything the U.S. says.” Eyre expressed skepticism about the credibility of U.S. negotiations, citing Trump's history of escalating tensions followed by backtracking. “At some point, all credibility for negotiations is going to be lost,” he warned.
Tensions have escalated in the region, with shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz dropping significantly, from 50 vessels to 33 in just one week, as reported by Reuters. This decline follows Iran's closure of the strait in early March amid U.S.-Israeli military actions.7
Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, criticized Trump’s approach as “theater diplomacy,” accusing him of using threats and broken promises as leverage. Meanwhile, Iran claims a deal with Oman is “on the verge of being finalized” regarding shipping routes through the strait.
“Iran insists it is speaking solely to Oman, with a deal 'on the verge of being finalised' after agreeing on route coordinates. Shipping traffic through the strait has dropped to 33 vessels this week from 50, and analysts warn US missile shortages are straining operations.”
