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Hormuz Deal Near Final
Iran said a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is close to being finalised, with reports suggesting Tehran would have control over ships entering the Gulf through the strategic waterway.
“Reuters news agency said Iranian sources rejected US President Donald Trump’s claims”
The Guardian reported that Reuters said Iranian sources rejected Donald Trump’s claims that a deal to reopen the strait was imminent, saying important details were still to be agreed.
The New Indian Express said Iran told it was in the "final stage" of drafting an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, while Trump said a deal could be announced this week.
The Washington Post reported that Iranian officials warned the deal would not fully reopen the crucial waterway, injecting fresh uncertainty into negotiations Trump previously described positively.
U.S. Pushback and Quotes
A U.S. official told CNBC that "Any temporary routes will be without any impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions and no tolls or charges," in response to a draft plan reported by Iranian state news outlet Fars.
The Washington Post quoted a U.S. official saying, "Any temporary routes will be without any impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions and no tolls or charges," while adding that "The Strait of Hormuz is an international waterway" and no party controls transit lanes.
In the same reporting stream, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the agreement with Oman was in the "final stage" of drafting, while also warning Tehran still had outstanding demands.
The Guardian also quoted a Gulf source saying, "The Iranian warning was unequivocal: if America targeted Iran’s infrastructure, they would retaliate" by striking Gulf energy facilities and other regional targets.
What’s at Stake Next
The Washington Post said Iran and Oman agreed that incoming ships will enter through Iranian territorial waters and outgoing ships will exit through Omani waters, a setup that would formalize Iranian control and left uncertainty over whether the Trump administration would accept it.
“Iran and Oman, a U.S. ally, have agreed that incoming ships will enter through Iranian territorial waters”
The New Indian Express reported that the agreement was likely contingent on the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iran's ports, while Iran insisted it would not go back to being an open international waterway as it was before the war.
L'Express said Tehran’s oversight of ships entering the Persian Gulf would come without allowing it to collect tolls or service fees, but it also described Tehran’s supervision as a "red line" and said the legal regime would not revert to the pre-war model.
The Guardian framed the dispute as part of a broader diplomatic push, noting Iran warned Gulf states that Tehran will hit their oil, power and water plants unless they convince Trump to end US strikes on Iran and seek a negotiated end to the war.
