TEHRAN/DOHA/WASHINGTON – Pakistan said that the United States and Iran are close to some arrangement on peace, according to Bloomberg on Tuesday.

In another development, US forces on Tuesday disabled the steering gear of a Panamanian-flagged cargo vessel as it allegedly tried to breach the US blockade of Iranian ports, according to a statement from the US military's Central Command (CENTCOM).

"CENTCOM forces disabled the steering gear of Panama-flagged M/V Vela Nova as the cargo vessel attempted to transit the Gulf of Oman and violate the US blockade against Iran by sailing toward an Iranian port," the statement said.

A US Navy MH-60 helicopter fired two missiles into the Vela Nova's engine room, according to the command.

"The missile struck the vessel, causing a fire that was subsequently extinguished," maritime security firm Vanguard said in an initial report on the incident.

"As of Aug 11, CENTCOM has redirected 55 commercial vessels attempting to run the blockade, disabled three non-compliant vessels, and boarded two," the command said.

Iran drafting announcement on talks with Oman

Qatar's Foreign Ministry said Iran is working on the wording of an announcement regarding its ongoing talks with Oman.

"The Iranian side said that they are in the process of drafting the announcement that will be made," ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari said at a weekly press conference the same day. 

Talks between Iran and Oman are continuing, he said, adding, "Our priority is to reopen the Strait (of Hormuz) and make sure that we can support the negotiations."

He added Qatar supports "any formula of understanding" that guarantees the security of the strait and prevents its use as a tool for political blackmail.

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Iran and Oman have been in talks since late July over the navigation arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz.

On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the negotiations "are being held smoothly and constructively", noting mechanisms would be established to ensure safe shipping, address environmental issues, provide maritime services and combat crimes in the strait.

Iran's healthcare needs during conflict

Also on Tuesday, Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said meeting the country's healthcare needs was among the most challenging tasks undertaken by his ministry during the 40-day conflict with the US and Israel.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in the capital Tehran to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran's Foreign Ministry and Health Ministry on cooperation in rebuilding infrastructure damaged during the conflict, according to the Iranian Students' News Agency.

Araghchi said the Foreign Ministry had worked with the Health Ministry during the conflict to procure medicines and medical equipment and transport them into the country, describing the effort as a challenging task.

On Feb 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities, killing the country's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and several military commanders. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the region.

In June, Iran and the United States signed a MoU on ending the conflict on all fronts, including Lebanon. The two sides were scheduled to hold negotiations within a 60-day period to reach a final agreement, but recent escalation in the region has left the talks' fate uncertain.

Israel's recent strikes in southern Lebanon

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned recent Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon, saying they killed and wounded Lebanese civilians and damaged infrastructure and homes.

In a statement issued by the ministry, Baghaei criticized Israel's continued strikes on Lebanon and what he called violations of the country's territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

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According to Lebanon's state-run National News Agency (NNA), at least one person was killed and 11 others were wounded last Wednesday in an Israeli airstrike that targeted a prayer hall in the southern Lebanese town of Tebnine in the Bint Jbeil district.

Early Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck a water culvert over the Qasmiyeh irrigation canal in southern Lebanon's Mansouri area, the Litani River Authority said, in what appeared to be a hit on key agricultural infrastructure.