US official: We expect a deal soon between Iran and Oman on Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON/RIYADH: A US official on Friday reported progress between Iran and Oman that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz, potentially restoring oil exports that have been disrupted by the five-month-old US war with Iran.

"There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon," the US official told Reuters on Friday. "Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports."

"As always, US actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran's implementation of its commitments," the official said.

Before the US and Israel launched the war on Iran on February 28, about one out of every five barrels of oil consumed worldwide transited the strait, but Iran has used the hostilities to justify charging a toll on oil tankers and firing on ships that attempt to cross the strait without permission.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has repeatedly signaled that a deal to open the strait could be close, only to have Iran deny that talks are under way. It was unclear whether the latest flurry of negotiations would yield a more lasting arrangement.

Washington and Tehran have not engaged in direct high-level talks since US Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials in Switzerland in June, shortly after the two sides reached a ceasefire agreement. That short-lived June 17 memorandum of understanding established terms for resuming Strait of Hormuz oil shipping and led to a ceasefire.

Amid internal opposition to the deal in the US and Iran, hostilities resumed on July 7, only to be put on hold again. The US military's Central Command has not reported any strikes on Iran since July 29.