The US and Iran have accelerated talks to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz in what would be a short-term fix amid a slowdown in fighting, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday.
Iran and Oman created the agreement, which would allow ships to pass safely through the waterway, over the weekend, according to the WSJ.
The talks aren’t meant to put a full stop to the conflict. However, mediators hope that a temporary agreement on a contentious issue would cool tempers and ultimately lead to more advanced talks, the report added.
Iran and Oman are still far apart on some issues, including whether to charge transit fees, the report said, citing a US official and mediators.
Trump halted attacks on Iran Friday evening following almost two weeks of strikes against Iranian maritime capabilities, missile and drone storage facilities, coastal surveillance sites, and air defense assets, according to information provided by the US Central Command.
Oman sent a delegation to Tehran to begin talks Friday night, according to the report, which added that both sides have reported progress.
This is a developing story.
Source:
www.jpost.com
