Vice-President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and two people who have been heavily involved in Middle East talks – special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner – are expected to lead negotiations, which were expected to take place in Oman on Saturday.
Meanwhile, a delegation from Qatar travelled to Iran on Friday for talks aimed at defusing tensions and easing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social earlier on Friday: “The Islamic Republic of Iran has asked us to continue ‘talks.’
“We have agreed to do so, but the United States has stated to them, in no uncertain terms, that the Cease Fire is OVER!”
No fresh attacks were reported on Friday after fighting broke out in the Gulf region earlier this week, marking the worst exchange of fire between the US and Iran since the two nations signed an interim deal in June.
Three ships were struck while using a US-recommended route through Omani waters. Iran has repeatedly said the only “safe” passage is a separate route through its waters.
Overall progress came last month when the US and Iran agreed on a 14-point memorandum of understanding, which was aimed at extending a ceasefire and ending conflict “on all fronts”.
As part of the agreement Iran and Oman must hold talks “to define the future administration and maritime services” in the strait with other Gulf states.
During the conflict, Iran sought to assert its sovereignty over the strait, including by establishing the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority”, which it said would manage “safe passage permits”.
Iran’s Fars news agency has reported that under the new deal with the US the strait would ultimately be managed by Iran in co-ordination with Oman, including possible “service fees” for ships to transit the waterway.
