Iran said awaiting top council's okay for Hormuz accord; US official: 'We expect a deal soon'

A US official claimed Friday that progress had been made in talks between Iran and Oman aimed at fully reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

"We expect a deal soon," a US official said in a statement sent to querying reporters.

"Once a deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the US will lift the blockade of Iranian ports," the US official said.

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

A US official was quoted by MS Now as saying Washington will only support the deal if it includes no fees and also no "impediments — meaning no approvals or permissions."

Meanwhile, Iran's state-owned news outlet Press TV reported Friday that a parliamentary committee was reviewing a preliminary bill that would introduce fees for transit of the Strait of Hormuz, while barring US, Israeli and other "hostile" vessels from passing the waterway.

The report cited lawmaker Alireza Salimi, who said the bill would also place restrictions on any ships or cargo deemed to have been involved in "hostile actions" against Iran's regional allies, including Lebanon's Hezbollah terror group.

"It would also prohibit the entry and exit of military or warships, as well as vessels involved in espionage, spying, or actions deemed contrary to Iran's national security," he said.

The draft bill would impose fines of up to 20 percent of a ship's cargo value for violations of the proposed restrictions.