According to Axios, the United States, Iran, and Oman have received final approval for a 60-day interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, which could be announced as soon as Wednesday, would route inbound vessels through Iranian waters and outbound vessels through Omani waters, with no tolls collected. Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia served as mediators, and the White House directly participated in the talks.
Axios reported Wednesday at 11:52 Jerusalem that final approval for a 60-day interim agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz has been received from the Iranian leadership and the Supreme National Security Council, according to US and regional sources. The agreement, which could be announced as soon as today, outlines a dual-routing system: inbound vessels pass through Iranian territorial waters, outbound vessels through Omani waters in coordination with Iran, with no tolls collected. The sides also agreed to clear mines from the median lane within 30 days, after which the lane would open to two-way traffic. Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia mediated the talks, with direct White House involvement.
The Zioneer first reported on the emerging deal at 05:27 Jerusalem, citing an Axios report that an interim agreement could be announced as soon as tomorrow. At 07:20 Jerusalem, three successive updates detailed: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi's in-principle approval; the specific routing and mine-clearing timeline; and the US weighing extensive military strikes if the diplomatic move fails. A subsequent bulletin at 10:33 Jerusalem reiterated the strike option. The latest report marks a significant escalation in source quality, moving from initial Axios reporting to confirmed final approval from the Iranian leadership.
The Zioneer has tracked the diplomatic effort for weeks. On August 2, Oman agreed to the compromise routing but demanded confirmation of IRGC backing. On June 12, President Trump said the US and Iran were close to a 60-day ceasefire deal. A senior US official told Fox News on June 14 that the framework would reopen the strait with no tolls. Channel 12 analyst Ehud Rosenzweig noted on June 15 that the 60-day grace period effectively recognizes Iran's right to collect tolls after the interim period. On August 4, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed significant progress.
The agreement remains to be formally announced. The IRGC's full support for the deal has not been publicly confirmed, and the interim arrangement leaves the question of a permanent settlement unresolved.
4 developments
- DevelopingAxios: Interim deal on Strait of Hormuz could be announced as soon as tomorrow
- StrongOman agrees to Hormuz compromise routing, demands IRGC support for Araghchi agreement
- StrongTrump: US and Iran close to 60-day ceasefire deal, Strait of Hormuz to reopen
- StrongIranian source: Strait of Hormuz reopening to begin Friday after MoU signing
Source and signal
- Open-source intake