Live Updates: Trump says Strait of Hormuz deal could happen today or tomorrow amid Iran-Oman talks

Diplomatic momentum surrounding the vital Strait of Hormuz has accelerated sharply, driven by parallel tracks of negotiations and high-stakes brinkmanship. President Donald Trump told crowds at a Las Vegas rally that a formal agreement regarding the critical energy artery could materialize within days. According to the White House, these prospective diplomatic openings abruptly halted a planned U.S. military strike over the weekend, an intervention that was reportedly discouraged by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. While Washington anticipates a broad diplomatic breakthrough, Tehran has pursued a bilateral framework directly with Muscat. Iranian officials announced they have reached a preliminary understanding with Oman regarding the geographical coordinates of a proposed shipping route through the waterway.

This regional maneuvering unfolds against a backdrop of ongoing kinetic conflict and severe political strain inside Iran. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that an oil tanker near Oman heard two explosions close to Kumzar, though no crew injuries or environmental hazards were recorded. Iran has maintained de facto control over the strait since hostilities escalated in February, occasionally firing upon vessels that deviate from designated corridors. The emerging bilateral arrangement between Iran and Oman seeks to restrict long-term management of the strategic chokepoint strictly to coastal states, explicitly warning third parties against intervention while operational rules, security protocols, and potential transit fees remain unresolved.

Compounding these diplomatic complexities, the Iranian government faces acute internal communication hurdles at the highest level of leadership. President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged that reaching Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei remains extremely difficult.

The intersection of American diplomatic timelines, Omani mediation, and localized maritime attacks creates an unusually volatile environment for global energy markets. While oil prices have experienced a multi-day decline as news of potential agreements filters through financial centers, the physical reality on the ground reflects persistent hazard. Two Israeli reserve soldiers from the 2855th Battalion, Major Harel Birenstock and Sergeant Major Tamir Vaknin, were recently killed during combat operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. With Washington envisioning an inclusive accord and Tehran cementing localized maritime boundaries with Muscat, the ultimate architecture of security and transit access across the Persian Gulf remains deeply contested.