Iran tells US attacks in Strait of Hormuz were misstep, signals willingness to continue talks: Report
Washington DC, July 12
Iranian officials have privately informed advisers to US President Donald Trump that recent attacks on commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz were an error, CBS News reported, citing American officials.
According to CBS News, the attacks stemmed from a specific faction within Iran looking to undermine the negotiations between the US and Iran.
Furthermore, CBS News reported that the White House wants Iran to "publicly" acknowledge the mistake, which the Trump administration views as a "violation" of the ceasefire.
President Trump has directed the US negotiating team led by Vice President JD Vance, Senior Adviser Jared Kushner, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to proceed with the ongoing talks in Muscat, Oman, which began on Saturday.
"They came back to the table and said, 'We screwed up. We made a mistake. Let's keep talking," a US official said as per CBS News.
Following Saturday's meeting in Oman, the administration expects Iran to maintain the position that the strait will remain open and managed exactly as it was before the conflict began, according to CBS News.
These developments come as Qatari negotiators travel to Iran in an effort to ease tensions and create conditions for the resumption of US-Iran talks following recent military escalations.
Earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi held talks with his Omani counterpart, Seyyed Badr Al-Busaidi, in Muscat on Saturday, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, regional developments, and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz.
In a post on his official Telegram channel, Araghchi stated that the two diplomats discussed bilateral relations between Tehran and Muscat in various fields, alongside broader regional developments.
According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, the two sides also discussed mechanisms to ensure the safe passage of ships in line with Article 5 of the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding, while Oman reiterated its support for diplomacy to ease regional tensions.
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump on Friday stated that Washington has agreed to continue talks with the Islamic Republic following Tehran's request, but reiterated that the US still considers the previous ceasefire between the two sides to be "over."
— ANI
Reader Comments
Honestly, Iran saying "we made a mistake" is a big deal in Middle East politics. Pride matters there a lot. But Trump wanting them to say it publicly feels like a humiliation tactic that could backfire. Diplomacy needs face-saving, not public shaming. 🤷♀️
From an outsider's perspective, this seems like Iran testing boundaries before coming back to the table. But for India, stability in the Strait of Hormuz is non-negotiable. Our entire energy security and trade with Europe depends on it. Hope the talks in Muscat yield real results.
Typical US approach - "say sorry publicly or no deal." Meanwhile, we Indians are left worrying about petrol prices going up. Why can't these big powers just sort out their issues without making the whole world pay? 🛢️💸
Interesting that Qatar is acting as a mediator here. They've been playing both sides - hosting Taliban talks, now shuttling between US and Iran. For India, any de-escalation in the Gulf is welcome because our diaspora in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia is huge. Peace benefits everyone.
I'm glad Oman is hosting these talks. They've always been the quiet diplomat in the region, mediating between Iran and the West. The "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding" being invoked is interesting too - shows how regional frameworks can help. Let's hope this leads to lasting peace, not just a temporary patch.
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