Top US officials say progress has been made toward a deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz with Iran and Oman, but no final agreement has been reached and Iran denies negotiations are under way.
Live updates
Loading updates…
Key facts
- US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said a deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz could come 'today or tomorrow'.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said progress had been made but 'not finality yet'.
- Iran has denied that any negotiations are taking place.
- Regional officials say a route into the Persian Gulf would be Iranian-controlled and the exit route Oman-controlled, with security fees charged.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington could reach a deal with Iran by tomorrow to reopen the strait of Hormuz, according to the Guardian’s live coverage. ‘We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict,’ Bessent said in an interview with CNBC.
The comments came despite statements from Iran denying that any negotiations are taking place, the Guardian reported. That gap between Washington’s optimism and Tehran’s public position leaves the status of the talks unclear.
Later in the day, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio struck a similarly hopeful but cautious tone. Speaking to reporters at the State Department, Rubio said there had been progress in discussions with Iran and Oman on getting more ships through the strait of Hormuz, but that no final agreement had been reached.
‘There’s been progress made in those talks, but not finality yet. We’re hoping that will happen very shortly,’ Rubio said, according to the Guardian.
Regional officials told the Associated Press that Iran and Oman had made progress toward a deal to reopen the strait, describing it as a potential breakthrough that could help end the war in the Middle East. Under the emerging agreement, ships would enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman.
The two regional officials said service fees would be charged for providing security and preserving the maritime environment along those routes. No timeline for a signed agreement was confirmed by either US official.
Why it matters
The strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most important shipping routes for oil and other goods, so any move to reopen it could ease global energy markets and reduce tensions in the region. But with Iran publicly denying negotiations and US officials stressing that no final deal exists, the outcome remains uncertain.
Frequently asked questions
Has a deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz been agreed?
No. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there had been progress in talks with Iran and Oman but 'not finality yet', and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said only that a deal was possible today or tomorrow.
What would the proposed arrangement involve?
According to two regional officials cited by the Associated Press, ships would enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman, with service fees charged for security and preserving the maritime environment.
Does Iran confirm it is negotiating?
No. The Guardian reported that Iran has denied any negotiations are taking place, despite the comments from US officials.
Timeline
- Middle East crisis live: US and Iran signal hope for Hormuz deal but terms unclear
The Guardian World: While Trump suggests deal could come as soon as today, Iran indicates that ongoing talks with Oman would not lead to its immediate reopening One idea being floated is for Iran to control the route for ships entering the Gulf, while Oman would be responsible for the exit route . T
- Middle East crisis live: Rubio hopes US can reach Hormuz deal with Iran ‘very shortly’ as officials say progress has been made
The Guardian World: US secretary of state comments come after treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said Washington could reach a deal ‘by tomorrow’ Iran and Oman have made progress toward a deal to reopen the strait of Hormuz, a potential breakthrough that could help end the war in the Middle East, re
- Middle East crisis live: Rubio says he hopes US can reach Hormuz deal with Iran ‘very shortly’
The Guardian World: US secretary of state comments come after treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said Washington could reach a deal ‘by tomorrow’ US secretary of state Marco Rubio said there has been progress made in discussions with Iran and Oman on getting more ships through the strait of
- Middle East crisis live: Bessent claims US could reach Hormuz deal with Iran by tomorrow
The Guardian World: Comments from US Treasury secretary come despite statements from Iran denying that any negotiations are taking place The US treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, said Washington could reach a deal with Iran by tomorrow to reopen the strait of Hormuz. “We are in talks with the Irania