Iranian Foreign Minister Heads to Oman for Strait of Hormuz Talks

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is set to visit the Sultanate of Oman on Saturday, leading a high-level diplomatic delegation. The visit aims for discussions on bilateral relations and current regional developments, specifically focusing on the tense situation in the Strait of Hormuz. This visit occurs amid a notable escalation of regional tensions, following an exchange of military strikes between Iran and the United States, which came after merchant ships were targeted while transiting the vital strait. US forces had carried out a series of airstrikes on sites within Iran on July 8 and 9, justifying them as a response to attacks on commercial vessels in the strait. In retaliation, Tehran announced it had conducted strikes targeting American bases in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Jordan. This represents the second escalation between Tehran and Washington since mid-June, when a memorandum of understanding was signed to end hostilities. US President Donald Trump had previously announced on Thursday that the ceasefire agreement was no longer valid.