U.S. President Donald Trump continued his threats against Iran. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said the U.S. would deliver a "very powerful blow" to Iran if the strategic Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.
"We are conducting very good talks... They (the Iranians) want to reach an agreement. We'll see what happens," Trump said. "The strait will be opened very soon, or they will suffer a very powerful blow and then the strait will be opened."
Trump also announced last Sunday that he had called off a planned attack after Iran and other countries in the Middle East asked for more time to reach an agreement that would ensure the immediate, full, and comprehensive reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
Final Stage in Mediation Efforts
According to Pakistani government sources, mediators have prepared a document that would pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The sources indicated that the indirect US-Iran negotiations, mediated by Pakistan and Qatar, have reached their final stage and the parties are close to agreement on the final text.
Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari also said in a statement Tuesday evening that mediation efforts had reached 'advanced stages' and that draft texts were being exchanged between the parties.
Joint Iran-Oman Efforts
Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ismail Baghaei announced Tuesday evening that progress had been made in technical and political talks with the Sultanate of Oman. The talks aim to establish safe corridors for ships passing through the strait. Iran and Oman share legal and geographical sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz and its shipping lanes.
Background of Tensions
The US and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, which according to Tehran killed more than 3,000 people. Iran, in turn, announced that its retaliatory strikes had inflicted casualties on the US and Israel.
A memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries on June 18 launched negotiations for a final agreement, but the process stalled due to disagreements over freedom of navigation and security in the Strait of Hormuz.
