A US official has said progress has been made in talks between Iran and Oman that could soon lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, paving the way for the restoration of commercial oil shipments disrupted during the five-month conflict between the United States and Iran.

Washington expects an agreement between Tehran and Muscat in the near future that would allow normal shipping to resume through the strategic waterway. The official also indicated that the United States would lift its blockade of Iranian ports once commercial navigation is restored and Iran fulfils its commitments.

US Sees Breakthrough in Strait Negotiations

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the US official told Reuters that discussions between Iran and Oman had made significant progress and that an agreement could be announced soon.

“There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon,” the official said. “Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports.”

The official added that any easing of US restrictions would remain conditional on Iran’s compliance. “As always, US actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran’s implementation of its commitments,” the official said.

A deal governing the Strait of Hormuz, which separates Iran and Oman, is widely viewed as a key step towards a broader peace agreement between Washington and Tehran.

Oil Trade Disrupted by Conflict

Before the United States and Israel launched military operations against Iran on February 28, around one in every five barrels of oil consumed globally passed through the Strait of Hormuz.

Since the outbreak of hostilities, Iran has imposed tolls on oil tankers and targeted vessels attempting to pass through the waterway without permission, citing the conflict as justification for the measures.

The disruption has significantly affected global energy markets, driving up oil prices and contributing to higher inflation. Although the Trump administration has repeatedly suggested that an agreement to reopen the strait was close, Iranian officials have consistently denied that formal negotiations were taking place.

The instability has also spread beyond the Strait of Hormuz. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have stepped up attacks on commercial shipping near another critical maritime route between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, further disrupting regional trade.

Regional Security Developments

Against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey signed a joint defence agreement in Mecca on Friday.

The three countries said the pact would strengthen collective deterrence and provide for mutual defence, stating that an attack on any one of the signatories would be regarded as an attack on all. Turkey, however, maintained that the agreement was defensive in nature and not directed at any specific country.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts have continued on another front of the conflict involving Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon. A Lebanese official said Lebanon and Israel had agreed on a shortlist of countries that could contribute troops to monitor Hezbollah’s disarmament under a US-brokered arrangement, with Washington expected to make the final selection.

Iran President Defends Engagement With US

Direct high-level contacts between Washington and Tehran have remained limited since US Vice President JD Vance met Iranian officials in Switzerland in June, shortly after a ceasefire agreement was reached.

That June 17 memorandum established terms for restoring oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and temporarily halted hostilities. Fighting resumed on July 7 before being paused again, while the US military’s Central Command has not reported strikes on Iran since July 29.

Analysts have pointed to apparent differences between Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and other centres of power, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, as a potential obstacle to lasting peace efforts.

In an interview broadcast on state television on Friday, Pezeshkian defended his government’s diplomatic approach despite criticism from hardliners opposed to negotiations with the United States. He also said many senior military commanders supported dialogue aimed at ending the conflict.

“America’s biggest enemy is China, why don’t they fight? China is doing its own thing and is getting stronger day by day. When we can get our rights through dialogue, why not do it?” Pezeshkian said.

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