Iran nears Strait of Hormuz deal as Trump signals announcement

**CAIRO** — Iran announced late on August 5 that it has entered the final phase of negotiations with Oman regarding the Strait of Hormuz, pointing to a potential breakthrough in efforts to reopen the critical shipping lane. U.S. President Donald Trump also indicated that an announcement regarding a deal could be made within the week.

The proposed agreement could allow traffic to resume through the strategic waterway, potentially easing global market pressures and creating momentum toward ending the ongoing conflict. However, progress remains tied to a major condition: Iran is seeking the lifting of a U.S. blockade on its ports as part of any final arrangement.

Washington has historically rejected proposals that would formalize Iranian control over the strait, viewing such an outcome as a significant strategic setback and a departure from international norms. Conversely, Tehran has maintained that it will not return to the previous arrangement in which the strait functioned as an open international passage without its oversight.

The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched military operations with stated objectives that included removing Iran’s leadership and halting its nuclear program. Those initial goals have not been realized, and the confrontation has since shifted toward control of the strait. Iran has asserted authority over the passage through attacks that have brought shipping activity nearly to a standstill.

The disruption has caused wide-reaching economic effects. The strait, which previously handled approximately one-fifth of globally traded oil and natural gas, has experienced severely reduced traffic, driving up fuel costs and affecting consumer prices worldwide. Meanwhile, President Trump faces increasing political pressure to bring the conflict to a close ahead of upcoming U.S. congressional elections.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Esmail Baghaei, confirmed that talks with Oman are nearly complete and stated that a joint announcement could follow provided there is no outside interference. “If certain parties do not obstruct this process,” he said, in a remark widely interpreted as directed at the United States.

According to two regional officials briefed on the discussions, Iranian and Omani negotiators have finalized a draft agreement to reopen the strait. The deal now awaits approval from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, who is believed to have been injured during the early stages of the conflict and has not made a public appearance since.

The officials described the arrangement as a temporary measure designed to ease tensions around the strait, building upon a previous understanding reached between the United States and Iran in June that ultimately failed to hold. Speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, the officials added that the agreement could potentially restart broader negotiations between Washington and Tehran concerning Iran’s nuclear program.

Earlier details shared by the sources indicated the plan would involve ships entering the Persian Gulf through a route overseen by Iran and exiting via a passage managed by Oman, with fees charged for security and environmental maintenance along the shipping lanes. The United States has expressed clear opposition to any system that would allow Iran to levy such charges.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance acknowledged the complexity of resolving the conflict, describing the process as “messy” and noting that progress would take time and likely encounter setbacks.

Oil markets reacted cautiously to the developments. While prices initially dropped, they later edged higher, with Brent crude hovering around $80 per barrel, remaining below the peaks reached earlier in the conflict. In recent days, President Trump has delivered mixed signals, alternating between threats of intensified military action and support for diplomatic solutions, while maintaining that a deal could materialize soon.

Article and image source: iraqsun.com