US expects deal to open Strait of Hormuz soon, official confirms

What Happened

Iran's Supreme National Security Council is expected to approve a deal with the US and Oman to jointly oversee the Strait of Hormuz, according to a diplomat from a mediating country cited by Axios. A US official confirmed to Reuters that progress has been made and a deal is expected soon, stating that once announced, the US will lift its blockade of Iranian ports and that US actions will remain performance-based, tied to Iran’s implementation of commitments. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier in the week that progress had been made and the White House sought an announcement as early as Wednesday.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, and a deal would de-escalate longstanding maritime tensions, restore commercial shipping unimpeded, and potentially open a path for further US-Iran engagements. The lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports would be a significant sanctions-easing move, albeit conditioned on Iranian performance.

Watch For

Monitor official announcements from Oman, Iran, or the US confirming the deal. Watch for details on the oversight mechanism and the timeline for lifting the US blockade. Also observe any IAEA or nuclear talks linkage, as US actions are performance-based and could be tied to broader commitments.