Pakistan: We are conducting secret communications between the US and Iran, and Tehran announces agreement with Oman on shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz

Statements from more than one capital have raised cautiously optimistic hopes of reaching an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz, particularly after US President Donald Trump announced that the strait would open “very soon,” and the Iranian Foreign Ministry revealed that “the negotiation track with the Sultanate of Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz is professional and moving forward.” Meanwhile, Qatar and Pakistan continue their efforts to de-escalate tensions and defuse the crisis. However, the US President threatened consequences if this does not happen, indicating that an agreement could be reached by Thursday.

Trump, during a visit to California, said, “We are having very good discussions,” emphasizing Tehran’s commitment to reaching an agreement. The Axios website, citing unnamed regional and US officials, reported that the proposed agreement includes arrangements lasting 60 days to ensure safe navigation through the strait between Iran and Oman. Under this arrangement, all ships heading to the Gulf would use the northern navigation route, while departing ships would take a southern route through Omani territorial waters. The website added that the agreement, which does not include the imposition of service fees, could be extended later.

For its part, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced that “our talks with the Sultanate of Oman have been ongoing over the past two months to determine a safe route for ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz,” declaring “an agreement with Oman regarding the geographical coordinates of the ship passage route in the Strait of Hormuz.” It stated, “We have examined the various technical, legal, security, and environmental dimensions in talks with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz.” It affirmed that “the joint statement with Oman is under review and final drafting, unless obstructed by third parties.”

Tehran said that Pakistan and Qatar continue their efforts to reduce tensions, and that it is in contact and exchanging views with them, denying any plan for visits by the Iranian Parliament Speaker or Foreign Minister to Pakistan or Qatar during the end of this week.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ambassador to Russia, Faisal Niaz Tarar, confirmed that Islamabad is making undisclosed diplomatic moves and contacts to contain the escalation between the United States and Iran, noting that his country is acting as a communication channel between the two sides. In an interview with the Russian news agency TASS, which was relayed by Al Arabiya channel, Tarar said that Pakistan believes in diplomacy, and this approach is reflected in its positions and actions, explaining that it works with all regional partners interested in bringing peace to the region. He added that his country has “open communication channels, and some issues are handled publicly, while others are followed through undisclosed diplomatic channels. We are holding talks and playing a role as a communication channel between the United States and Iran.”

The Pakistani ambassador also pointed out that the “memorandum of understanding” signed by Islamabad last June serves as evidence of the effectiveness of his country’s mediation. He affirmed that Islamabad believes that involving as many regional parties as possible in the settlement process serves the interests of efforts to end the conflict and enhances the chances of its success.

The memorandum of understanding signed in June launched a 60-day process to put an end to the war in the Middle East and resolve a number of issues, including the Iranian nuclear file. The memorandum allowed the resumption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic passage for global energy trade, after Iran had closed it since late February, while the United States, in response, imposed a blockade on Iranian ports.