Donald Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Could Be Opened By Wednesday

Published 5 August 2026 · politics

U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal on the Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday, as Iran and Oman inched toward an

U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal on the Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday, as Iran and Oman inched toward an agreement to reopen the critical waterway and potentially help bring an end to the war. Israel and the U.S. originally cited goals including toppling Tehran’s government and ending its nuclear program, but the war has devolved into a fight over the strait as Iran’s attacks and threats ground shipping to a halt. Closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas once passed, has driven up the price of fuel and basic goods far beyond the region, roiling the global economy. Trump is also under mounting pressure to end an unpopular war ahead of midterm congressional elections scheduled for later this year. The U.S. president was asked by reporters traveling with him in California about a report on the Axios news site that an announcement on the Strait of Hormuz could be made on Wednesday.

“It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” he said, speaking on Tuesday evening California time. “A lot of progress has been made.” Oil prices eased Wednesday on hopes of a deal that would allow shipping to resume. Brent crude, the international standard, slipped by 1.2% to $78.43 per barrel early Wednesday. The U.S. and Iran reached a deal to open the strait in June, only for attacks to resume. In recent days, Trump has again alternately threatened massive strikes and voiced support for diplomatic efforts. Trump also commented on the damaged the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro on Friday moved to dismiss an indictment against David Hearn, saying in a 20-page filing that newly produced evidence from the Interior Department showed the former Olympic canoeist was not responsible for damage to the pool's lining. Pirro’s office attributed the damage instead to a botched installation by a contractor as well as “the rush to complete the project prior to events associated with the America 250 celebration” in the weeks surrounding July 4, as directed by Trump.

"Well, I just think it was totally wrong," Trump said. "They did a beautiful job. There were a couple of little things, but that was not a big deal. And everybody saw the vandalism, all you have to do is look at the tape." Before departing, Trump briefly commented on the investigation opened by the House Ethics Committee into Republican Rep. Max Miller. The committee said Tuesday it had opened an investigation into domestic abuse allegations against Miller as the embattled Ohio congressman faced pressure from Trump and escalating criticism from his former father-in-law, Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno. Leaders of the ethics committee said in a statement that the committee was reviewing whether Miller “may have engaged in domestic violence and abuse or illegal drug use.” Earlier in the day, Miller said he had requested his own investigation into the allegations made by his e wife, Emily Moreno. It was not clear whether his request or another one prompted the committee to investigate.