- Iran has halted most traffic through Hormuz while Washington maintains a blockade of Iran-related shipping and ports.
- Tehran rejected an Omani proposal last week that would have allowed shared oversight and collection of voluntary fees from ships.
- Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described talks with Oman as positive and continuing, focused on establishing safe shipping lanes.
- Citing two regional sources and a U.S. official, Axios reported the U.S. and Iran are closing in on an interim agreement to reopen the strait with Oman.
- U.S. President Donald Trump said talks with Iran were "moving along very nicely" and predicted the Strait of Hormuz would be "open very soon".
President Trump stated that U.S.-Iran talks are progressing positively, with negotiations focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. During an all-day negotiation, Trump emphasized that the strait would be open soon, asserting, "If they back out again, they are going to get hit really hard."156
The discussions involve Oman, which plays a crucial role in mediating the agreement. According to Axios, the U.S. and Iran are nearing an interim deal to facilitate safe shipping lanes through the strait, a vital waterway for global oil and gas shipments, accounting for about a fifth of such traffic.4
Despite the optimism from the U.S. side, Iranian state media reported that an agreement might be delayed due to ongoing U.S. threats. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmaeil Baghaei, confirmed that talks with Oman are ongoing and focused on ensuring the sovereign rights and national security of both nations. However, Tehran recently rejected an Omani proposal for shared oversight and fee collection from ships, indicating the complexities of the negotiations.23
In a related development, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke with Trump about narrowing differences between Washington and Tehran, highlighting the broader diplomatic efforts underway to resolve the conflict.
“Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that discussions with Oman are focused on establishing safe shipping lanes, which are crucial as the strait carries about a fifth of global oil shipments. Meanwhile, Iranian state media warned that any agreement would be delayed if the U.S. continues its threats against Iran.”
