Trump signals progress on Hormuz, warns Iran over talks
US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran were progressing and claimed the Strait of Hormuz could reopen "very soon," while warning Tehran it would face a "very hard" military response if diplomacy collapses.
Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Trump said the two sides had held an "all-day negotiation" and described the discussions as positive.
"They had an all-day negotiation today, and it looks like things are very good," he said, adding that the United States would strike Iran if it abandoned the talks.
"If they back out again, they're going to get hit really hard. They know that. They can't have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.
Later, speaking to reporters in California, Trump said negotiations were "moving along very nicely" and that more clarity could come within 48 hours.
Interim deal reportedly close
Meanwhile, Axios reported that the United States, Iran and Oman are close to reaching a temporary agreement aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring the ceasefire between Washington and Tehran, with a possible announcement as early as Wednesday.
According to the report, citing regional sources and a US official, the proposed 60-day arrangement would route inbound vessels through Iranian waters and outbound traffic through Omani waters in coordination with Tehran, without transit fees. The agreement also envisages clearing naval mines from the central shipping lane within 30 days before restoring two-way traffic under a longer-term framework.
The report said the negotiations have involved Oman, Qatar, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with US envoy Steve Witkoff holding several recent conversations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi.
Regional sources told Axios that Iran approved the framework on Tuesday after receiving the necessary authorization from its leadership.
Earlier on Tuesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said discussions on freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway had not yet been finalized but expressed hope that an agreement would be reached "very shortly."
The diplomatic effort follows months of heightened tensions between the United States and Iran, after renewed military exchanges derailed a previous ceasefire and peace framework before negotiations resumed.
Source:AA
