The Donald Trump administration is offering an optimistic outlook, saying an agreement between Iran and Oman to open the Strait of Hormuz is imminent.
According to the New York Times (NYT) and others on the 4th (local time), U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that "talks and negotiations in which the United States is involved are under way between Oman and Iran, and we are discussing ways to allow more ships to pass safely in the short term."
Rubio said, "The negotiations are making progress, but we have not yet reached a final agreement," adding, "We hope to reach an agreement in the very near future." He continued, "The ultimate agreement is the denuclearization issue that Iran must never possess nuclear weapons, but the most urgent task now is an agreement regarding the straits."
The "straits" the Minister mentioned are understood to refer to the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
Earlier, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also said in an interview with CNBC that "we are currently negotiating with Iran," adding, "There is a possibility that today or tomorrow we could reach an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz and shift this conflict into a more normal phase."
When asked whether "if the Strait of Hormuz is opened, Iran will impose a toll, or whether it will be fully opened so anyone can pass freely," the Minister avoided a specific answer and said, "It will be open to free passage."