Iran has publicly confirmed that negotiations with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz are making progress, while firmly denying any direct engagement with the United States. Iran's foreign ministry announced that the talks are now focusing on creating a temporary route for vessels by merging both Iranian and Omani routes until a permanent agreement is reached. Regional mediators, including Qatar and Pakistan, remain active behind the scenes, suggesting diplomatic channels are still open despite the military posture. Meanwhile, US Central Command has announced its forces are fully prepared to protect commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, while the IRGC has said it is ready to retaliate to any threats. The creation of a single temporary route could be the first step towards building trust between Iran and the United States.
Al Jazeera's Mahmoud Abdelwahed reports from Tehran.
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