TALKS between Iran and Oman over reopening the Strait of Hormuz are progressing at the technical and political levels, according to US-based media outlet Axios on Wednesday.

Qatar insisted that the priority for the region must be diplomacy to reduce the prospects for a further military escalation, even as US President Donald Trump continued to threaten Iran.

Axios reported that a deal on Hormuz was near, but Iran repeated its assertion that the talks were between Tehran and Muscat and had nothing to do with Washington.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said the negotiations with Oman are focused on determining safe inbound and outbound transit routes for vessels in the strait, Mehr News Agency reported on Wednesday.

Mr Baghaei said the discussions are proceeding in “a constructive atmosphere.”

He said: “Iran, in co-operation with Oman, is working to formulate the necessary mechanisms for future arrangements for managing shipping transit in this strategic passage.”

Tehran has said that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed to shipping until US military interference in the waterway ends.

In an interview with Fox News published on Wednesday, President Trump continued his warning to the Iranians that they would be hit “really hard” if a deal was not reached with the US.

He said: “If they back out again, they’re going to get hit really hard.

“They know that. They understand that. I have no choice. They can’t have a nuclear weapon. It’s very simple.”

In his phone call with President Trump, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani underlined the importance of continuing diplomatic efforts to address contentious issues and implement the terms agreed under the Memorandum of Understanding between Iran and the US in June — which was broken by Washington.

A similar message has been passed to Washington by Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman.

Majed Mohammed al-Ansari, adviser to the Qatari prime minister and spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Tuesday that Doha, Muscat and Islamabad are making efforts to facilitate communication between Iran and the US “to bring their viewpoints closer.”

Mr Ansari called on countries to refrain from using the strait “as a means of political pressure or to achieve unilateral interests.”

He said the minimum aim of the current talks is to return to the previous status in the strait and it “must be agreed upon by all affected regional countries.”