U.S.-Iran Tensions Shift to Shipping Corridors and Diplomatic Back-Channels

The U.S.-Iran conflict has transitioned from direct kinetic engagement to a period of economic disruption and diplomatic friction. Qatar has officially advised the suspension of all maritime activities in its territory, a move that threatens to strain global LNG supply chains as vessels avoid corridors off the coast of Oman. While no new military strikes or cyberattacks were reported in the last 24 hours, the fragile ceasefire remains under pressure from a sharp slowdown in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. On the diplomatic front, a discrepancy has emerged between Washington and Tehran regarding potential negotiations. While President Trump's envoys, Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, have traveled to Doha for discussions, the Iranian government has countered that no technical working group meetings are planned for this week. Concurrently, Iran and Oman have formalized a joint committee to manage the Strait of Hormuz, signaling a pivot toward Muscat as a primary mediator even as the U.S. focuses on the Doha track. Multilateral efforts to secure the region are also underway. French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France is cooperating with Oman on mine-clearing operations in the Strait of Hormuz to de-escalate maritime tensions. Meanwhile, U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz issued a warning to Tehran, stating that Iran's strategic leverage over the waterway is weakening as global energy markets diversify their logistic routes.