Iran and Oman Near Deal on Opening the Strait of Hormuz, but U.S. Opposition Remains a Variable

[Financial News] Iran and the Gulf state of Oman are said to have made substantial progress in talks aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
On the 4th local time, foreign media outlets including AP reported that the progress could mark a potential turning point that may help bring an end to the war in the Middle East.
According to regional officials, the proposed agreement under discussion would require ships entering the Persian Gulf to use a route controlled by Iran, while vessels leaving would use a route controlled by Oman. It also includes service fees, or tolls, under the pretext of protecting the marine environment and providing security.
However, the talks are tied to the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Iranian ports, and because the negotiations are being held behind closed doors, the final form of any agreement could still change.
Any deal that formally recognizes Iran’s control over the Strait of Hormuz would amount to a strategic victory for Iran, making it likely that the United States will try to block it by refusing to lift the sanctions.
A United States government official said, "Even if a temporary route is established, it will not include Iran’s approval or the imposition of tolls. The goal is to return to the previous state, in which no party controls the route."
U.S. President Donald Trump also said on the 3rd, "I will not let Iran charge tolls. If anyone is going to collect tolls, we will."
Esmail Baghaei Hamaneh, spokesman for Iran’s Foreign Ministry, stressed that the talks with Oman are focused on establishing a safe two-way shipping lane that takes into account the sovereignty and national security of both countries.
He added that an announcement would be made if a final agreement is reached.
United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said of the Iran-Oman talks, "There has been progress, but it is not yet final. Giving Iran control of the strait would set a dangerous precedent."
United States Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent also told CNBC in an interview that "there is a possibility that an agreement could be reached today or tomorrow to open the strait and normalize the conflict," but he drew a line on tolls, saying it would be "free movement."
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