Iran says close to Hormuz deal with Oman after US suspends attack plan

Iran announced Sunday that it is nearing a deal with Oman concerning a new route through the Strait of Hormuz, just hours after the United States called off major strikes to allow for diplomatic efforts. U.S. President Donald Trump had stated on Saturday that the U.S. and Israel had agreed to postpone new strikes on Iran, indicating that the "perimeter" of a deal was established.

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we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.

The U.S. and Iran have been engaged in conflict since February 28, when surprise strikes were launched. Months of on-again, off-again diplomacy have led to periods of relative calm, but fears of escalation resurfaced last month following a return to strikes. Trump had previously threatened severe action against Iran and was reportedly considering renewed attacks, including on energy infrastructure, with U.S. embassies across the region on high alert.

However, Trump appeared to shift course after a series of diplomatic communications, including a conversation with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Trump posted on his Truth Social platform that "we have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to." He added that he had agreed "for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL."

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for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.

It remained unclear what Trump meant regarding the state of negotiations, as Iranian media denied Tehran had requested Trump not to strike. Iranian lawmaker Hassan Ghashghavi, spokesman for the parliament's national security commission, stated that mediators were working to revive a June memorandum of understanding. This memorandum was intended as a preliminary step toward comprehensive negotiations, including provisions related to Hormuz. Ghashghavi confirmed an "exchange of views" was occurring, emphasizing that the Strait of Hormuz is the central issue.

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They know that the main issue and, in fact, the key to the matter right now is the issue of the Strait of Hormuz, so yes, there is an exchange of views.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital artery for global oil and gas supplies, has been the crux of diplomatic failures. Previously, passage was free for all vessels. However, Iran closed the strait during the conflict and now insists on maintaining control and levying tolls, a demand rejected by the U.S. Trump stated that any deal must include the "Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat." The U.S. president had initially framed the conflict as necessary to address Iran's nuclear program, which Western nations accuse Iran of pursuing for weapons development, though Tehran maintains its program is purely civilian.

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Immediate, Complete and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran's nuclear threat.