A U.S. official said Friday that Iran and Oman were making progress toward an agreement that could soon reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore oil shipments disrupted by the five-month-old U.S. war with Iran.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said Washington expected the two countries, which border the strategic waterway, to reach an agreement soon that would allow normal oil traffic to resume.
An agreement between Iran and Oman on control of the strait is considered a key step toward a broader peace deal.
"There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon," a U.S. official told Reuters on Friday. "Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports."
"As always, U.S. actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran's implementation of its commitments," the official said.
