Iran says Oman deal is in ‘final stages’ but US must open Hormuz

Iran announced on Sunday that a new deal with Oman regarding shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz was nearing completion. However, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi reiterated that the waterway would only be reopened once the United States fulfilled additional conditions. The Strait of Hormuz, carrying a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments, was blocked by Iran in response to U.S. and Israeli attacks.

The deal would outline the new shipping lanes to be used once the U.S. meets these conditions and the strait is reopened, according to Mehr news agency. Iranian officials stated that Iran and the U.S. are not currently engaged in direct talks, reserving the option to start them as long as Washington adheres to an interim deal signed in June.

U.S. President Donald Trump suggested during an Axios interview that the U.S. was "low-keying" negotiations with Iran, stating that they were only "semi-negotiating" with Tehran, focusing on Iran's economic challenges. Iran's stance on reopening the strait hinges on the U.S. lifting the blockade, compensating for attacks, stopping aggression against allies, lifting sanctions, and freeing Iranian assets.

The ultimate decision rests with Supreme Leader Khamenei, who has remained largely out of public view since an airstrike on February 28.