US media: US believes talks between Iran and Oman broke down weeks ago

Odaily reports that, according to US financial media Semafor, President Trump's latest move to avoid escalating military action in Iran comes as the US believes the talks between Iran and Oman—which previously appeared to be a rare and productive negotiating channel—have reached a stalemate. A US official and a White House official stated that the US government believes the talks between Iran and Oman broke down weeks ago. Those talks had raised the possibility of reaching a toll agreement in the Strait of Hormuz, which frustrated Trump. The Omani embassy did not respond to the US assessment of the negotiations. Nevertheless, Trump continues to describe the situation in Iran as "very good" and remains optimistic that economic pressure can force Tehran back to the negotiating table, even though he has suspended future talks for the foreseeable future. Last night, Trump took to social media to threaten an "economic war" against Iran, stating that the US would impose sanctions on any country that conducts business with Tehran.