Washington says interim Hormuz deal is close as Tehran calls Oman talks positive

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, that progress had been made in talks between Oman and Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while stressing that no final agreement had been reached. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the same day that a deal could come "today or tomorrow", and diplomatic sources in Tehran indicated an agreement was possible by the end of Wednesday, August 5.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei described the talks with Oman as "positive" at both the political and technical levels, saying they focus on establishing safe inbound and outbound shipping lanes. Iranian officials say the reopening mechanism, maritime service fees and security arrangements remain unresolved. Tehran maintains it is negotiating with Oman rather than directly with Washington. Rubio said the strait remains open and vessels continue to transit it.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Tuesday about de-escalation. Separately, the Tasnim news agency, citing the Axios website, reported that a draft interim arrangement would route inbound vessels through a northern lane in Iranian waters and outbound vessels through a southern lane in Omani waters coordinated with Iran, with no transit fees during a 60 day period and clearance of mines in the middle lane within 30 days.