A U.S. official said on Friday that progress has been made in ongoing talks between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached soon.
The official added that the United States would lift its blockade on Iranian ports once an agreement is announced guaranteeing the resumption of unimpeded commercial shipping through the strategic waterway.
The official stressed that U.S. measures would remain linked to developments on the ground and to Iran’s compliance with its commitments, emphasizing that any future steps would be based on what actually happens in practice.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States could reach an agreement “today or tomorrow” that would allow the Strait of Hormuz to reopen for a period of 30 to 60 days, arguing that such a move would help drive energy prices lower.
Maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz fell to 33 vessels between Monday and Thursday this week, compared with 50 vessels during the same period last week, as markets closely monitor the Oman-Iran talks for signs of progress toward reopening the vital shipping route.
Tehran has threatened to target infrastructure in the region if the United States carries out threats to attack critical facilities inside Iran. It has also reportedly asked the Houthis in Yemen to prepare to close the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the Red Sea if Iran’s electricity network is targeted.
Amid the escalation, the United States reimposed a naval blockade on Iranian ports in the Strait of Hormuz following renewed fighting described as the most intense since the ceasefire between the two sides took effect in April.
Iran warned that the resumption of the naval blockade on its ports would undermine its memorandum of understanding with Washington.
The war began on February 28, when Israel and the United States launched attacks on Iran. Tehran responded by closing the Strait of Hormuz, which before the war served as the main maritime route for roughly one-fifth of global energy supplies.
The Strait of Hormuz has emerged as one of the most significant flashpoints in the conflict. Iran’s control over the strategic waterway has given Tehran substantial leverage and an important bargaining tool in the confrontation.
Source: Reuters
