Iran hosts Hormuz calls with Saudi Arabia, Oman as Trump hails ‘good talks’

Satellite view of Iran (with mask). This image was compiled from data acquired by LANDSAT 5 & 7 satellites., Iran, Middle East, Asia, True Colour Satellite Image With Mask (Photo by Planet Observer/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)Planet Observer | Universal Images Group | Getty ImagesDiscussions over the future of the Strait of Hormuz continued on Tuesday as Iran's Foreign Ministry said it had held talks on the strategically vital maritime passage with Saudi and Omani counterparts. Iranian Foreign Minister Seyyed Abbas Araqchi held separate phone calls with Saudi Arabia's Faisal bin Farhan and Oman's Badr Al-Busaidi regarding "the latest bilateral and regional developments," according to a Telegram statement translated by Google. The ministry said the calls "emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation and advance joint diplomatic efforts to establish stability in the region and eliminate the insecurity imposed on the Strait of Hormuz caused by the aggressive actions of the United States."It came as a pause in U.S.-Iran hostilities appeared to hold after two weeks of strikes between the adversaries came to a temporary halt on Friday. Markets have broadly responded positively to the pause, with stocks rallying and oil prices falling on Monday, with sentiment buoyed by the potential for a lasting peace agreement. But other Middle East actors have continued military action in recent days, with Saudi Arabia reporting overnight that it had intercepted a "number of drones" allegedly launched by Iran-backed militias in Iraq targeting the kingdom's oil facilities. Read more U.S.-Iran war newsWhat is Pickaxe Mountain, the Iranian nuclear facility Trump is threatening to strike?Ukraine strikes Iranian vessels in Caspian Sea, Tehran accuses Kyiv of ‘hostile and criminal act’Saudi military strikes Houthi targets in Yemen after Iran-backed militia attacked Red Sea shippingTehran’s Hormuz threat risks global fallout, Rubio warns as U.S. strikes Iran for 11th straight nightIran says it attacked Amazon infrastructure in BahrainU.S. strikes Iran and Houthis threaten Saudi Arabia shipping as mediators push 10-day ceasefireOil exports through the Strait of Hormuz might not return to levels seen before the Iran warStrait of Hormuz shutdown: A visual guide to the world's most critical oil chokepointOil markets are betting on a swift end to the Iran war. Investors may regret itThe Middle East war is testing the Gulf’s ambitions to become an AI hubAnalysis: An end to the Iran war may be just the beginning of a new era of U.S. inequalityWhy the confusion around the Iran situation could get worse. How to profit anywayStrait of Hormuz: Ships attacked as Trump extends Iran ceasefireTrump tells CNBC he expects U.S. to make 'great deal' with IranMore from CNBC Politics But the Iraqi militias have not claimed responsibility for the attempted strikes, while Yemen's Houthis have said they had attacked Saudi oil facilities, according to Reuters – leaving the culprits unclear at the time of writing. The Jordanian army also said it had downed a drone in its airspace overnight.U.S. President Donald Trump hailed "good talks" with Iran late on Monday. The Iranian foreign ministry continued to deny that any direct negotiations with the U.S. were taking place, but suggested messages are being exchanged via intermediaries. Nevertheless, Trump told reporters on Air Force One that U.S. strikes will resume if talks fail to deliver progress.Regarding talks with Iran, the president separately told a campaign rally in Michigan: "You can't bribe them. You've got to beat them, and we'll beat the hell out of them. But we'll see how it turns out. Right now, there are very friendly negotiations going on."