On the 19th, senior Iranian sources said mediators Qatar and Pakistan told Tehran Washington is ready to negotiate and serious about advancing talks. Iran said it would resume implementing the Islamabad memorandum within days if the U.S. returns to and fulfils its terms, but demands concrete, credible guarantees against future attacks. The source said Iran will begin negotiations on the nuclear file and sanctions relief once the U.S. substantively implements the memorandum — including halting hostile actions, lifting the blockade and allowing Iranian oil exports. Iran reached an understanding with Oman on the Strait of Hormuz, but will not reopen the strait while the blockade persists and no U.S. agreement is in place. 19-SEP-2026 11:19 AM ET