Negotiators from Iran and Oman are trying to reach an agreement to restart shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, according to people familiar with the matter.

Iran and Oman, whose territories border the strait, are continuing discussions after their officials met in Tehran over the weekend, the people said, asking not to be identified talking about sensitive matters. A successful deal would then enable the Islamic Republic and the U.S. to resume talks over ending their war, they said.

One proposal is to reopen the strait’s so-called middle passage, said two of the people. That has largely been avoided by ships since the start of the conflict in late February, with vessels taking either a northern route close to Iran’s shores or a southern one that passes near the Omani exclave of Musandam.