US, Iran and Oman near temporary deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz

TEHRAN, Iran — The United States, Iran and Oman are close to a temporary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with an announcement expected on Wednesday, according to two regional sources and a US official cited by Axios. The negotiations, which have been underway for weeks, are aimed at reviving a US-Iran ceasefire and restarting talks on the nuclear file. US President Donald Trump on Saturday stepped back from a threat of broad-scale airstrikes to allow room for diplomacy. The proposed deal envisages a 60-day interim arrangement between Oman and Iran that can be extended. Under its terms, all ships heading toward the Gulf would use the northern route through Iranian waters, while vessels exiting toward the Arabian Sea would use a southern route through Omani waters, coordinated with Iran. During the 60-day period, no fees or transit charges would be applied, and the parties would clear naval mines from the central route of the strait within 30 days. Once cleared, the central route would be split into separate lanes for inbound and outbound vessel traffic under a permanent arrangement to be negotiated between Muscat and Tehran. Officials from Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were also reported to have joined mediation efforts, with the White House actively engaged in the talks. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi gave in-principle approval over the weekend, but the decision still awaits formal sign-off from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and Iran's Supreme National Security Council.