Mediators working on a peaceful settlement of the Middle East conflict have made progress in getting the US and Iran back to the negotiating table, the Associated Press (AP) news agency reported. According to it, a Middle Eastern official described the progress as significant. Moreover, discussions are underway with Iran and Oman to establish a mechanism to ensure safe passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz. The US claimed the attack was in retaliation for a strike on a merchant vessel in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran responded by targeting US facilities across the Middle East, including in Bahrain, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.