Iran announced on Wednesday that it is in the “final stage” of preparing an agreement with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, while U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal could be revealed this week. If successful, the agreement could reopen the strategically important waterway, reduce pressure on the global economy, and help move the war toward an end.
However, the agreement is expected to depend on the United States removing its blockade of Iran’s ports. The Trump administration has previously rejected any arrangement that would reinforce Iran’s authority over the strait, arguing that such an outcome would represent a significant setback for the U.S. and contradict international norms.
Iran has maintained that it must retain some level of authority over the strait, insisting it will not allow it to return to its previous status as an unrestricted international waterway before the conflict.
The war began on Feb. 28, when the United States, together with Israel, launched military operations, citing objectives that included removing Tehran’s leadership and dismantling its nuclear program. Those goals have not been fulfilled, and the conflict has increasingly centered on the strait, as Iran’s assertion of control and attacks on commercial shipping have reduced maritime traffic to nearly a standstill.
The shutdown of the strait, which once carried around one-fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas, has pushed up fuel and consumer prices, creating turmoil in the global economy. Trump is also facing growing political pressure to bring the unpopular conflict to an end before U.S. congressional elections.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that the agreement with Oman is now in the “final stage” of preparation and said a joint statement would be released “if certain parties do not obstruct this process,” an apparent reference to the United States.
Regional officials say negotiators have completed a draft
Iranian and Omani negotiators have completed a draft agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and are now awaiting final approval from Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, according to two regional officials who spoke with The Associated Press on Wednesday. Khamenei is believed to have been injured during the opening attacks of the war and has not appeared publicly since then.
The officials, who were informed about the negotiations, described the proposed agreement as a temporary measure to address the dispute over the strait. They said it is connected to a June understanding between the United States and Iran that sought to end the fighting and reopen the waterway but ultimately fell apart.
Speaking anonymously because the discussions remain private, the officials added that the proposed agreement would create an opportunity for Washington and Tehran to restart negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program.
Earlier, the same officials said the proposed arrangement would require ships entering the Persian Gulf to use a route controlled by Iran, while departing vessels would travel through a route managed by Oman. According to them, security and environmental protection services would be financed through service fees charged to vessels using the routes.
The United States has repeatedly stated that it strongly opposes any system allowing Iran to collect such fees.
Trump says an agreement to reopen the strait is close
On Tuesday evening, Trump responded to reporters’ questions about an Axios report suggesting that an announcement regarding the strait could come on Wednesday.
“It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” Trump said. “A lot of progress has been made.”
Vice President JD Vance also acknowledged on Wednesday that progress in dealing with Iran may not appear obvious, describing efforts to end the war as “messy” and saying that “it’s going to take some time.”
Post a Comment