Gulf Peace Diplomacy: The 'Hormuz Agreement' Is Imminent

Washington, D.C. – Agencies: The United States, Iran, and the Sultanate of Oman, with support from mediation led by Qatar and Saudi Arabia, are nearing a temporary agreement to reorganize navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The deal includes special arrangements for ship transit routes, the abolition of fees, and the removal of naval mines. (See page 12)

Axios reported, citing two regional sources and a U.S. official, that the agreement is the result of weeks of negotiations aimed at cementing a ceasefire between Washington and Tehran and paving the way for resuming talks on Iran’s nuclear program. According to the report, U.S. President Donald Trump preferred on the previous Saturday to postpone the option of military escalation to allow space for the diplomatic track. However, Trump stressed late Tuesday into Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz would be opened very soon, while threatening to strike Iran with force if it did not happen.

Speaking during a visit to California, Trump said, “We are having very good discussions,” affirming that Tehran is keen to reach an agreement. He added that it could be signed today. Axios noted that negotiations were not limited to Muscat and Tehran, but also involved officials from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Pakistan, pointing out that the White House also participated directly through a series of talks conducted by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi. The website clarified that Araghchi expressed preliminary approval of the draft agreement on Sunday, before the Iranian leadership completed formal ratification procedures on Tuesday, including approval from the Supreme National Security Council.