US says deal on reopening Hormuz close as Iran, Oman hold ‘positive’ talks

What the report says

US officials say talks on reopening and securing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz have advanced, as Oman continues to mediate discussions with Iran. In remarks reported by Al Jazeera on Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington is involved in the negotiations and that progress has been made, although no final agreement has been reached. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested a deal could come soon, while Iranian diplomatic sources indicated one might be possible within days.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry said its talks with Oman were “positive” and were continuing at both political and technical levels. According to the report, the immediate focus is on creating safe inbound and outbound shipping lanes through the strategic waterway. Key unresolved issues include how the strait would operate, possible service fees and security arrangements. Al Jazeera also reported that the strait remains open and that vessels are still transiting it.

The negotiations are part of broader efforts to ease tensions between Washington and Tehran after months of regional conflict. The article notes that Qatar and Pakistan are also involved in diplomatic outreach, while other US-mediated talks are under way in Rome on Lebanon. At the same time, security incidents involving an attacked cargo vessel near Yemen and a Houthi drone strike claim in Saudi Arabia show how fragile the wider regional situation remains.