Muscat: Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, has called for diplomatic efforts to secure lasting freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This appeal comes amid ongoing restrictions on shipping in the region following joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran.

According to Anadolu Agency, Albusaidi engaged in discussions with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, regarding the situation in the Strait of Hormuz. The Omani foreign minister characterized the talks as productive, emphasizing the importance of their shared responsibility to the international community and the need to address the prolonged detention of seafarers.

Albusaidi expressed on the US social media platform X the necessity for diplomacy and practical solutions to ensure unimpeded navigation in the region. Araghchi's visit to Muscat was part of broader diplomatic efforts, with Pakistan mediating potential agreements between Iran and the US to resolve their ongoing conflict.

Following his discussions in Oman, Araghchi returned to Pakistan to further engage with officials there about a possible second round of negotiations with Washington. His diplomatic tour then continued to Moscow for talks with Russian officials.

The backdrop to these diplomatic engagements is a series of negotiations between Iran and the US held in Islamabad two weeks prior, which did not culminate in an agreement. A two-week ceasefire brokered by Pakistan on April 8, and later extended by US President Donald Trump, has provided a temporary respite. However, unresolved issues such as the control of the Strait of Hormuz, the US blockade of Iranian ports, and Iran's nuclear activities remain significant obstacles to a lasting resolution.