Mediators Report Significant Progress Toward Renewed U.S.-Iran Talks

Two regional officials said Monday that mediators led by Qatar and Pakistan had made significant progress toward returning the United States and Iran to negotiations and averting a broader Middle East war. Neither side reported attacks for a third straight day after nearly two weeks of renewed bombardment. One official said mediators were working with Iran and Oman on a mechanism to manage vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said mediator messages were continuing but no direct U.S. talks were underway, and that the strait remained closed despite positive Iran-Oman discussions.