Mediators report progress in efforts to prevent wider Iran conflict

Cairo: Mediators are making progress in efforts to bring the United States and Iran back to negotiations and prevent a wider war in the Middle East, according to two regional officials familiar with the diplomatic discussions. The development comes after neither the United States nor Iran reported carrying out attacks for three consecutive days, providing a temporary respite following nearly two weeks of escalating military exchanges that heightened fears of a broader regional conflict. Qatar and Pakistan leading mediation efforts The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the discussions, said mediation efforts led by Qatar and Pakistan are focused on bridging differences between Washington and Tehran and reviving an interim ceasefire arrangement that had been undermined by recent hostilities. The United States suspended its military operations after nearly two weeks of strikes targeting Iranian coastal infrastructure and other assets. The escalation was triggered by Iranian actions against vessels attempting to transit the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for global oil shipments. US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz told Fox News that President Donald Trump was giving diplomacy an opportunity to progress. “He's giving talks some space. He's giving it a little bit of room,” Waltz said, adding that Oman, Iran and other intermediaries had remained engaged in discussions at multiple levels. Iran confirms indirect contacts Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said mediators continue to relay messages between the two sides, although no direct negotiations are currently taking place. “Mediators may convey messages to us from the American side regarding ongoing developments in the region. But at present, we have no negotiations with the American side,” Baghaei told a news conference in Tehran. He added that several rounds of discussions had taken place between Iran and Oman concerning the management of maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. According to Baghaei, the aim is for Iran and Oman, as the two coastal states bordering the strategic waterway, to establish mechanisms that ensure safe navigation while protecting their respective sovereignty and security interests. However, he stressed that the status of the Strait of Hormuz remains unchanged and that the waterway remains closed. Strait of Hormuz remains central issue One regional official described the progress achieved by mediators as “significant”, noting that discussions on vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz have become a central focus of the negotiations. The waterway remains one of the world's most important energy corridors, carrying roughly one-fifth of global oil shipments under normal conditions. The current 60-day interim period agreed between the United States and Iran in June has now entered its latter stages, while several of the most contentious issues — including Iran's nuclear programme — remain unresolved as mediators focus on preventing a return to active conflict. Shipping and energy concerns persist Despite the pause in attacks, concerns remain over maritime security in both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. The US military said on Saturday that its naval blockade measures against Iran remain in force, adding that US forces had redirected multiple commercial vessels, disabled two ships and boarded two others during enforcement operations. Meanwhile, commercial traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has fallen to its lowest level in three weeks, according to a maritime monitoring body overseen by the US Navy. The organisation reported no confirmed attacks in the previous 72 hours but noted that shipping activity in the strait remains significantly below normal levels. Regional diplomacy continues The diplomatic efforts come as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to travel to Washington for talks with President Trump. Separately, the conflict has also affected tensions on Israel's northern border with Lebanon, where Hezbollah became involved shortly after the outbreak of hostilities. The United States has since supported dialogue between Lebanon and Israel aimed at reducing tensions and addressing Hezbollah's armed presence. While the pause in military operations has raised hopes for de-escalation, officials cautioned that major political and security issues remain unresolved, leaving the future of the ceasefire efforts uncertain.