New Delhi, March 1 -- As tensions in the Middle East continue, Oman's foreign minister, who has been mediating US-Iran negotiations, called for a ceasefire during a Sunday call with his Iranian counterpart and said Tehran has expressed its willingness to de-escalate, according to a report by the Hindustan Times (HT).

Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi "affirmed the Sultanate of Oman's continued call for a ceasefire and a return to dialogue... in a manner that achieves the legitimate demands of all parties," the report said, quoting Oman's foreign ministry in a readout of a call with Iran's foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi.

As per the Oman foreign ministry statement cited, Araghchi said Iran was "calling for peace," and expressed...