DUBAI — Iran and Oman are close to reaching an agreement to restore commercial maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, The New York Times reported, citing Iranian and US officials.If the accord goes into effect it could come at a high price: ratifying Tehran’s control over what, before the war, was an open, international waterway.As described by officials familiar with the emerging accord, vessels heading into the Gulf will transit a channel controlled by Iran, and close to its coast. Ships leaving the Gulf will travel on a channel near Oman.Iranian officials told The New York Times that no tolls would be charged but said the agreement includes a "service fee" to cover environmental impacts, security for cargo ships and tankers, and staffing costs. They added that the revenue would be shared equally between Iran and Oman.A US official said that the Iranian account was "not accurate," saying any "temporary" shipping routes through the strait would not require Iranian approval and would not involve tolls.According to the report, some senior Pentagon officials are skeptical of the proposed arrangement, expressing concern that it could amount to a concession to Iran.The New York Times also reported that some Iranian officials questioned whether the agreement would function as intended and prevent another round of US attacks.Meanwhile, a senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader said on Monday Tehran would target any US warship that may try to impose a different route than the one it has allowed for ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz."(We won't allow) the second corridor to open. Even if they (US) deploy warships, we will target them," Mohsen Rezaei said in an interview with Iran's state media.Rezaei also warned of targeting US ships and bases if the country continued the naval blockade on Iran."There will certainly be serious dangers to the US ships and bases. We will not sit and watch the US continue the naval blockade," he added.President Donald Trump said on Monday he expected negotiations to begin within the next day or two after threathening that newly planned talks with Tehran are the “last chance” for Iran to forge a deal before devastating strikes on the country.Iran immediatly denied holding new negotiations saying the Islamic Republic was only working out an agreement with Oman at the moment over a temporary route for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.Foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei insisted the strait, the critical waterway where about a fifth of all traded oil and natural gas flowed before the start of the war, will "remain closed until US violations end".