Fresh diplomatic efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz have recorded positive progress after Oman and Iran held high-level discussions aimed at restoring navigation through one of the world's most strategic oil shipping routes, according to regional sources familiar with the negotiations.
The talks, which are being closely monitored by the United States, come as Washington has suspended air strikes on Iran for two consecutive nights, ending a campaign that had lasted 13 straight nights.
Two regional officials told CBS News that negotiations are moving in a positive direction but cautioned that additional discussions will be required before a formal agreement can be reached.
According to the sources, Omani officials travelled to Tehran on Friday to continue negotiations on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and surrounding territorial waterways, with the diplomatic engagement coinciding with President Donald Trump's decision to halt U.S. military operations against Iran.
The officials said the pause in American air strikes was intended to avoid disrupting the sensitive diplomatic process, although neither the White House nor the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) commented on the report.
The latest diplomatic breakthrough follows months of escalating conflict that disrupted navigation through the Strait of Hormuz before expanding to attacks on U.S. military facilities, Gulf allies, regional shipping and other strategic targets across the Middle East.
Iran also announced that it has suspended retaliatory attacks against U.S. allies following Washington's decision to halt its bombing campaign.
Iranian army spokesman Mohammad Akraminia said retaliatory operations were paused after the United States stopped carrying out strikes over the last two nights.
"These attacks continued until two nights ago, but over the past two nights the Americans have stopped their attacks. Since our strategy has essentially been retaliatory, we have also halted our retaliatory operations," Akraminia said.
Despite the pause, Iran warned that it would resume military operations should the United States restart attacks on Iranian territory.
The temporary reduction in hostilities has revived hopes that diplomacy could replace military confrontation after nearly two weeks of sustained U.S. bombardments.
Reports have also suggested that concerns over dwindling supplies of Patriot interceptor missiles and other defensive weapons may have contributed to Washington's decision to pause further escalation.
The negotiations are being watched closely in Washington as efforts continue to prevent further disruption to global energy markets.
Speaking on Friday, President Trump said Iran would ultimately seek a negotiated settlement, although he suggested Tehran was not yet prepared to conclude an agreement.
"I don't think they're ready to. I don't think it's time yet, but I'm willing to listen," Trump said.
The diplomatic developments come as international attention remains focused on the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor through which a significant share of the world's seaborne crude oil exports passes, making any progress toward restoring normal navigation closely watched by governments, energy markets and global shipping operators.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of providing Iran with advanced satellite imagery to assist attacks on U.S. military installations in the Middle East, days after President Trump said neither country was directly involved in the conflict.
Separately, the U.S. military disclosed that it had disabled a commercial vessel that allegedly attempted to evade the blockade on Iranian ports, underscoring that security concerns continue to persist even as diplomatic efforts gather momentum.
Regional officials, however, maintain that negotiations between Oman and Iran are moving forward, offering the strongest indication yet that dialogue could eventually pave the way for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a broader reduction in tensions across the Gulf.