Muscat, Oman. A cargo vessel was struck by an unidentified projectile near the Strait of Hormuz off Oman’s coast on Tuesday, while oil prices rebounded as doubts grew over whether the US-Iran war was nearing a resolution.
Oil prices rose nearly 3% after a steep selloff in the previous session, as investors reassessed optimism over diplomatic efforts.
Conflicting claims over negotiations
US President Donald Trump said on Monday that talks with Tehran were under way and that Iran had a “last chance” to reach an agreement.
“They are going on right now,” Trump told reporters at an Oval Office event when asked about negotiations. He said the discussions were taking place at the request of Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.
“This is a last chance for them (Iran) to sign a good document,” Trump said.
Iranian officials said no negotiations with the United States were taking place. Iran said its only talks were with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz and that no major meetings were planned this week.
Trump’s comments followed his decision over the weekend to cancel what he described as “massive attacks” on Iran, after previously threatening major military action before stepping back and citing negotiations.
Iranian position
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran did not want the conflict to widen.
“We defend our borders, but we do not seek to expand the war,” he was quoted as saying by state media.
Iran has halted most traffic through Hormuz, while Washington maintains a blockade of Iranian shipping and ports. The disruption affects a corridor that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
Vessel and shipping traffic
The UKMTO maritime security agency reported that a cargo vessel had been struck near the strait.
Maritime sources told Reuters on Tuesday that the vessel was a dry bulk ship. Its crew had to abandon the vessel and one seafarer was missing, the sources said.
Traffic through the strait remained slow. Kpler data showed that six vessels, including three tankers and three bulk carriers, transited Hormuz on Monday, compared with seven the previous day. More than 100 ships would typically transit the strait daily in peacetime.
