Iran Says U.S. Diplomatic Talks Continue Amid Regional Tensions
Iran says communication channels with the United States remain important despite the absence of an active direct peace process, as regional diplomacy shifts toward intermediaries and efforts to manage the Strait of Hormuz. The distinction is important because the situation has changed since the earlier version of this article: on August 18, U.S. President Donald Trump said there were no talks or conversations taking place with Tehran, while Iranian officials have continued to emphasize diplomacy, confidence-building and indirect contacts rather than confirming a new round of direct negotiations. Iran's diplomatic activity has instead increasingly involved third parties. Pakistan has been pursuing a mediation role, while Oman is working with Tehran on a separate framework for restoring safer commercial navigation through Hormuz. On August 25, Pakistani officials described high-level discussions in Tehran as having made significant progress, although no new U.S.-Iran peace agreemen...