How Much Progress Has Been Made in US-Iran Negotiations – Details

Regional officials report significant progress in mediation efforts to bring the US and Iran back to negotiations after a period of escalation. The sides have ceased mutual attacks for three days. Mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan are working on a temporary ceasefire agreement and a mechanism for ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran's Foreign Ministry denies direct talks with the US.

Regional officials have reported significant progress in mediation efforts to bring the US and Iran back to negotiations. According to them, this became possible after both sides ceased mutual attacks over the past three days — a respite after roughly two weeks of intense exchanges that heightened fears of all-out war. Two anonymous regional officials said that mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan are trying to bridge differences to return the sides to a temporary ceasefire agreement that collapsed after an exchange of strikes. One official stated there was 'significant' progress and that work is underway with Iran and Oman on a mechanism to regulate ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz — the main flashpoint of recent escalation. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said that mediators may convey messages from the US to Tehran, but no direct talks are taking place. Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry denied reports of any negotiations with the US.