Iran denies reports of deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

WASHINGTON, United States — A source close to Iran's negotiating team has rejected reports that an agreement was reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to the Fars news agency, the source called the reports "baseless" and said the strait would remain closed as long as the United States maintains its hostile posture. The source added that vessels would only be able to transit through routes designated by the naval force of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and with permission from that force. The denial comes after Israel's Channel 12, citing diplomatic sources, reported that Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had agreed to a compromise to reopen the strait, a step the report said led U.S. President Donald Trump to suspend an attack on Iran. The same reports said Trump halted a large-scale military operation against Iran in the early hours of Sunday in exchange for Tehran's push to quickly conclude a deal with Washington on the nuclear file.