Iran, Oman Near Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Route

Iranian and Omani officials have reached an agreement to open a temporary shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, according to a news outlet run by Iran's military, but Tehran says the plan hinges on the United States lifting its naval blockade and returning to the terms of a truce struck earlier this summer.

Qatar's foreign minister traveled to Tehran on Thursday for talks aimed at creating "suitable conditions for dialogue," as Pakistan and Qatar continue mediating to bring Washington and Tehran back to direct negotiations after nearly six months of war. Qatar said the two sides also discussed the emerging Iran-Oman proposal for the strait.

President Trump told Al Jazeera on Wednesday the U.S. was "achieving a very big victory" against Iran but that the conflict "will continue for as long as necessary," adding there is no timetable for resuming peace talks. On Thursday, he insisted Iran is "begging to make a deal," writing on Truth Social, "I don't want to meet, they do." He earlier told reporters his administration is "not looking to meet" with Iran, arguing the naval blockade and tightening sanctions have inflicted severe economic damage.

Iranian officials have publicly held firm, vowing to keep the Strait of Hormuz closed to shipping unless Washington returns to the earlier truce. Trump claims the strait is open, but ships have remained hesitant to sail through the waterway.

Separately, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent this week outlined plans for what he called the "economic asphyxiation" of Iran, warning of consequences for countries that don't join the sanctions campaign. He told China to "get with the program," but Beijing has defended its continued purchases of Iranian oil. Asked Thursday whether the U.S. would sanction Chinese banks cooperating with Iran, Trump replied, "Who says I'm not?"

Also Thursday, Pakistan's military announced a deal to help train and support Kuwait's armed forces, part of a broader trend of Gulf states seeking security arrangements beyond their traditional reliance on the United States.