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.

Axios reported Friday that Iran was waiting for its Supreme National Security Council to approve a temporary agreement with the US and Oman on opening the strait, and expected that okay to come shortly.

Earlier, MS Now (formerly MSNBC) had reported that a framework deal had been reached for Iran and Oman to jointly control the key waterway that Iran has obstructed since the beginning of its war with the US and Israel in late February.

Under the deal, ships would not be charged tolls. However, US support for the agreement was not guaranteed, it said.

An unnamed Iranian government official said the deal would establish a new Iran-controlled entry route and an Oman-controlled exit route from the waterway, a critical oil trade route.