Iran and Oman are moving closer to an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping lanes, after months of disruption caused by regional conflict. According to regional officials, the emerging proposal would allow ships to enter the Persian Gulf through a route controlled by Iran and exit through one managed by Oman.

The proposed arrangement, however, is expected to depend on the United States lifting its blockade on Iranian ports, even though the Trump administration has previously ruled out any agreement that would place control of the waterway in Iran’s hands. The diplomatic efforts come as violence continues across the Middle East, with attacks reported in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea, Gaza, Lebanon and Yemen.

US Signals Progress in Hormuz Negotiations

Senior US officials suggested that negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz are advancing.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions involving Iran and Oman had made progress, although a final agreement had not yet been reached.

“There has been progress in talks between Iran and Oman, but not finality yet,” Rubio said.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also expressed optimism, saying, “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict.”

Qatar has also stepped up diplomatic efforts. Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss ways of resolving the crisis.

According to the Qatari royal court, the leaders discussed measures to bridge differences “in a way that enhances the prospects of reaching a sustainable diplomatic settlement to the crisis”.

Fresh Attacks Reported at Sea

Despite the diplomatic activity, maritime attacks continued on Tuesday.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said a cargo vessel was “hit by an unknown projectile” while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

The incident occurred around 2 am local time approximately 37 kilometres northeast of Al Khasab, an Omani port city.

The vessel sustained damage, according to both the UK Maritime Trade Operations Centre and British maritime security firm Ambrey. Officials have not confirmed the ship’s flag or its cargo.

In a separate incident, an Indian-flagged commercial vessel sank in the Red Sea after being struck by an explosive-laden boat off the coast of Yemen.

Yemeni authorities rescued all 14 crew members, comprising 13 Indian nationals and one Yemeni citizen. India’s Ministry of External Affairs condemned the attack, while no group immediately claimed responsibility.

Gaza Recovers More Victims of 2023 Strike

In Gaza City, hundreds of Palestinians attended a mass funeral for 112 victims whose remains were recovered from the site of an Israeli airstrike carried out in November 2023.

According to Gaza’s Civil Defence, the recovered victims included 40 children and 30 women. The bodies had remained buried beneath collapsed buildings in the Sabra neighbourhood for nearly three years.

The strike on November 22, 2023, killed more than 300 people, with rescue workers initially recovering only around 40 bodies.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israel’s military campaign has killed 73,375 people since the war began after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

Zaher al-Waheidi, head of the ministry’s records department, said another 7,400 people remain missing beneath the rubble.

Lebanon, Yemen See Continued Tensions

Israeli and Lebanese officials met in Rome to continue US-mediated negotiations aimed at reducing Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon and advancing efforts to disarm Hezbollah.

A diplomat familiar with the talks said Lebanon had requested that the next pilot zone be established in either Khiam or Bint Jbeil, two towns heavily affected during the recent conflict and still occupied by Israeli forces.

However, US Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa cautioned against expanding the arrangement too quickly, saying doing so could endanger civilians.

In Yemen, Houthi military spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree claimed that the group had carried out a drone strike on a “sensitive target” at Najran airport in south-western Saudi Arabia.

Saree said the attack was in response to alleged Saudi violations of Yemeni airspace over Saada and Hajjah. Saudi authorities did not immediately comment on the claim.

The Houthis have recently announced a blockade on Saudi-linked shipping through the Bab al-Mandab Strait, further heightening concerns over maritime security in the region.

Beirut Marks Six Years Since Port Explosion

In Lebanon, families of victims gathered at Beirut’s port to mark six years since the devastating explosion caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate that killed more than 200 people and destroyed large parts of the capital.

Although no one has yet been convicted in the long-running investigation, some families expressed cautious optimism after government officials pledged that indictments would be issued before the end of the year.

While fighting and diplomatic disputes continue across the Middle East, negotiations over reopening the Strait of Hormuz have emerged as one of the few signs of potential progress toward easing tensions in the region.

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