Iran and Oman near deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz, officials say

Iran and Oman have made significant progress toward a deal that could reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global shipping, regional officials said Tuesday. The emerging agreement aims to facilitate safe passage for vessels, potentially de-escalating the ongoing war in the Middle East.

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The final results of these negotiations will be announced once concluded.

Under the proposed terms, ships entering the Persian Gulf would navigate through a route controlled by Iran, while exiting vessels would use a route managed by Oman. Service fees would be levied for security and the preservation of the maritime environment. Negotiations are ongoing, and the final agreement could differ, with any deal potentially linked to the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iran's ports.

However, the United States has expressed opposition to any arrangement that grants Iran control over the strait or involves charging tolls. A U.S. official familiar with the negotiations stated that any temporary routes would not require Iranian approval or fees, emphasizing a commitment to the status quo where no single party controls transit. U.S. President Donald Trump has reiterated his stance against tolls, warning that any attempt to charge would be met with reciprocal charges.

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there's been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We're hoping that will happen very shortly.

Iranian officials confirmed bilateral talks with Oman are focused on establishing safe shipping lanes that respect sovereign rights and national security interests. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged progress but stressed that a final agreement has not yet been reached. He previously warned that any deal giving Iran control over the strait would set a dangerous precedent.

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I'm not going to let them charge. Anybody's going to charge, we'll charge.