Trump says Strait of Hormuz deal could come this week as Iran, Oman finalize draft to reopen shipping route
US President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached "tomorrow or the next day," expressing optimism that progress
US President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached "tomorrow or the next day," expressing optimism that progress in talks between Iran and Oman could help restore shipping through one of the world's most strategically important waterways and ease pressure on the global economy. Speaking to reporters while traveling in California on Tuesday evening, Trump was asked about a report suggesting an announcement on the strait could come on Wednesday. "It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day. A lot of progress has been made," Trump said. The remarks come as Iranian and Omani negotiators move closer to finalizing an agreement on managing maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping lane that carried around one-fifth of the world's oil and natural gas exports before the conflict. Iran-Oman draft agreement awaits approval According to regional officials cited by the Associated Press, Iranian and Omani negotiators have completed a draft agreement that is awaiting final approval from Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
The proposed arrangement is described as a temporary solution aimed at reopening the strait after months of disruptions following the war launched by the United States and Israel against Iran on February 28. The conflict, initially justified by Washington and Israel as an effort to dismantle Tehran's nuclear program and weaken its government, has increasingly centered on control of the strategic waterway. Officials familiar with the negotiations said the agreement could also pave the way for renewed US-Iran nuclear talks. Earlier reports indicated the proposal would allow ships entering the Persian Gulf to use an Iranian-controlled route while outbound vessels would travel through a route managed by Oman. The arrangement would reportedly include service fees for maritime security and environmental protection, although Washington has repeatedly opposed any deal allowing Iran to levy charges on international shipping. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei confirmed that talks with Oman are in the "final stage" of drafting and said a joint statement could be issued if "certain parties do not obstruct this process," an apparent reference to the United States.
Strait closure has disrupted global trade The Strait of Hormuz has become the central flashpoint in the conflict after Iranian attacks on commercial shipping sharply reduced maritime traffic. The disruption has driven up global energy prices and increased transportation costs worldwide, placing additional political and economic pressure on the Trump administration ahead of the US midterm elections. Although Brent crude initially fell on optimism surrounding a possible agreement, oil prices later edged higher, trading around $80 per barrel on Wednesday, well below the peaks reached during the height of the conflict. Trump has alternated in recent weeks between threatening major military action against Iran and signaling support for diplomatic efforts to reopen the waterway. Also Read | Trump Administration Planning To Ban On Chinese Data Centre Devices | Report Shipping attacks continue despite diplomatic progress Even as negotiations advanced, attacks on vessels in the region continued. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed on Wednesday that they launched ballistic missile attacks targeting a Saudi oil tanker near the Red Sea port of Yanbu.
The BriefWire