Trump says deal to reopen Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday

Key Points:

• U.S. President Donald Trump indicated a potential deal on reopening the Strait of Hormuz could be announced within days, with progress reported in talks between Iran and Oman to manage the critical waterway jointly.
• The proposed agreement involves ships entering the Persian Gulf via an Iranian-controlled route and exiting through an Oman-controlled route, with service fees for security and maritime environment preservation, though the U.S. opposes any Iranian control or toll charges.
• Iranian and U.S. officials confirmed ongoing negotiations focused on safe shipping lanes, with the final deal possibly linked to lifting the U.S. blockade on Iranian ports, while Arab nations like Qatar are also engaging to broker an end to the conflict.
• Recent attacks on commercial vessels in the region, including a sinking in the Red Sea and damage to a ship in the Strait of Hormuz, highlight ongoing security risks amid the conflict, with Iran-backed Houthi militants implicated in some incidents.
• Trump faces domestic pressure to end the unpopular war that has raised fuel prices and strained U.S. military resources, emphasizing a phased approach starting with reopening the straits followed by efforts toward Iran's denuclearization.