After Halt of 'Major Strike,' Signs of New Understanding Between Tehran and Washington

Signs of de-escalation between the United States and Iran have returned to the forefront, following the postponement of a U.S. strike described as "major," amid diplomatic efforts led by Oman to address the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz. Yet conflicting statements from Iranian institutions have cast shadows of doubt over the chances of reaching a new understanding.

The developments began with reports from Israel's Channel 12, citing diplomatic sources who said that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi agreed to a proposal put forward by mediators to reorganize maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, prompting Washington to cancel a large-scale attack it had been preparing against Iran.

According to the sources, the proposal involves Iran agreeing to a ceasefire and opening the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days without charging fees, allowing ships bound for the Arabian Gulf to enter through Iranian territorial waters, while outbound vessels would cross through Omani territorial waters—a format aimed at reducing the risk of military confrontation in one of the world’s most critical maritime passages.

The sources added that Oman has accepted the proposal but requested clarification from Tehran on whether Araghchi’s approval also reflects the position of the Revolutionary Guard, given the multiple centers of decision-making within Iran.

Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Sunday that the memorandum of understanding with the U.S. would be the cornerstone of Tehran’s foreign relations.

He emphasized the need to bind the United States to the agreement upon signing.

Negation from the Revolutionary Guard

However, this narrative did not last long, as the Revolutionary Guard-affiliated Fars News Agency swiftly denied it, stating—citing informed sources—that reports about Iran accepting a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz were "not true," and that Tehran’s policy toward the strait had undergone no change.

This denial came as official statements emerged that appeared more flexible: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, according to IRNA, stated that negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz had entered their "final stages."

In the same context, the spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the ongoing talks with Muscat do not concern opening or closing the strait, but rather aim to reach a joint mechanism for regulating traffic there, thereby reducing the risk of escalation.

Diplomatic Window

These statements come amid accelerating diplomatic activity, as regional and international actors seek to prevent a return to military confrontation, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of delaying a strike he had threatened would be "severe and unprecedented," creating space for political efforts.

In Tehran, Hassan Qashqavi, spokesperson for Iran’s Parliament National Security Committee, revealed that mediators are working to revive the memorandum of understanding signed between Washington and Tehran in June, brokered by Pakistani and Qatari intermediaries.

Qashqaui said there is an ongoing exchange of views on proposed ideas, confirming that the issue of the Strait of Hormuz has become the "core of the matter" in current negotiations, as it remains the key obstacle determining the future of any agreement between the two sides.

What Was in the Memorandum?

The 14-point memorandum included arrangements to facilitate ship passage through the Strait of Hormuz, along with provisions for ending hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, and resuming the diplomatic track between Washington and Tehran in preparation for broader negotiations.

Yet these understandings did not last long, as tensions flared again after Iran was accused of targeting commercial vessels in the Strait of Hormuz—an incident that triggered a U.S. response and reignited military tensions.

According to observers, the prospects of reviving these understandings hinge on mediators’ ability to unify Iran’s position before moving toward broader agreements with Washington, especially since the Strait of Hormuz remains the most sensitive issue in the path toward de-escalation between the two sides, alongside the file on high-enriched uranium.