Iran and Oman agree on terms of deal: Reports

TEHRAN/WASHINGTON — Iran and Oman have reached an understanding on the outlines of an agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for 60 days, Saudi-based Al Hadath news channel and Al Arabiya news channel reported on Thursday, both citing high-ranking sources.

The sources said the agreement, which still needs approval by Iran's Supreme National Security Council and could be announced within days, aims to restore navigation in the waterway.

Vessels entering the strait will use a route close to Iran, while those leaving will take one close to Oman. No transit fees or service charges will be imposed, and regional parties may participate in demining and technical procedures, the sources said.

Following the agreement's approval, the United States and Iran will return to their peace memorandum of understanding and activate Paragraph 5 concerning the reopening and safe navigation of commercial shipping through the strait, the sources said.

Indirect contacts between Iran and the United States remain through mediators and have entered their final stage, the sources added.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei told journalists on Wednesday that talks with Oman were moving forward, but that even if an understanding was reached, it would not mean the strait had become safe for all passing vessels.

"The factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States," he said.

Highlighting the risks in the strait, the captain of an oil tanker reported hearing two explosions while transiting the waterway, 17 kilometers southeast of Kumzar, Oman, Britain's maritime security agency UKMTO said on Wednesday. The crew and vessel were safe.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly insisted Tehran is keen on a deal for reopening the strait, but Iran has denied this and said it would instead make arrangements with its neighbor across the strait, Oman.

Trump stressed on Thursday that the United States has "massive" amounts of munitions, especially of certain types.

His comments came one day after a CNN report on US weapons shortages following the intensive military campaign against Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, "Additionally, large amounts (of weapons) are being manufactured and shipped to the US as needed. Defense companies are building the largest number of plants and factories in our country's history."

At the same time, a new Reuters/Ipsos poll has found that 50 percent of respondents said they thought US military action in Iran would destabilize the Middle East over the next year.

US citizens were also pessimistic about gasoline prices, which have risen as Iran has choked off traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil supplies. Some 58 percent said they expected gas prices to worsen, while just 15 percent expected them to improve, Reuters reported on Thursday.

Meanwhile in Tehran, Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Wednesday that communication with Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is very "difficult at the moment", but his presence is a "great strength" for the country to continue its path.

He said Iran is facing its "most difficult" circumstances, citing intensified banking sanctions, curbs on foreign transactions, a naval blockade, and an ongoing conflict with the US.

XINHUA-AGENCIES