Trump Says Deal to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Could Come Within Days
The president said "a lot of progress has been made" as Iran and Oman near an agreement on the waterway that once carried a fifth of the world's oil and gas.
President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday, as Iran and Oman moved closer to an agreement on the waterway whose closure has strained the global economy.
Asked by reporters traveling with him in California about an Axios report that an announcement could come Wednesday, Trump said Tuesday evening, California time: "It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day." He added, "A lot of progress has been made."
The United States, along with Israel, launched the war on Feb. 28, citing goals that included toppling Tehran's government and ending its nuclear program. The conflict has since narrowed into a fight over the strait, as Iranian threats and attacks on shipping brought traffic to a halt. A fifth of the world's oil and natural gas once passed through the channel, and its closure has pushed up fuel and basic goods prices far beyond the region. Trump is also under pressure to end an unpopular war ahead of the midterm congressional elections.
Oil prices initially eased on hopes of a deal, then inched up. Brent crude, the international benchmark, was around $80 a barrel on Wednesday — still well below its wartime peak.
Two regional officials told The Associated Press that the emerging agreement would have ships enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through an Omani one, with service fees charged for security and environmental protection. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive talks, and said negotiations continue, with any deal linked to lifting the U.S. blockade on Iran's ports. Trump has publicly opposed tolls: "I'm not going to let them charge," he said Monday. "Anybody's going to charge, we'll charge."
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said talks with Oman focused on "establishing safe inbound and outbound shipping lanes," according to the state-run IRNA news agency. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed progress but said the talks were not final; he has ruled out any deal giving Iran control of the strait, calling that a "very dangerous precedent."
Attacks continued. The Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claimed Wednesday they fired ballistic missiles at a Saudi oil tanker, the Wafa, off Yanbu; spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree offered no evidence, and Saudi Arabia did not immediately comment. On Tuesday, an Indian-flagged ship sank in the Red Sea off Yemen after being struck by an explosive-laden boat, Yemeni and Indian authorities said. Its crew of 13 Indians and a Yemeni was rescued. No one claimed responsibility.
Separately, U.N. human rights chief Volker Türk said executions in Iran have risen since March, with at least 56 people put to death since March 19, including 27 convicted in cases linked to anti-government protests. He said more than 100 others are at risk and alleged confessions were obtained under torture.
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