Despite Iran’s announcement of a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the United States says the strategic waterway remains open to shipping. As military tensions persist, Washington and Tehran appear to be moving closer to a potential agreement that could ease a growing regional crisis.

Iran announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday after the United States launched a new wave of strikes on targets inside the country. Iran's top joint military…

Tensions in the Middle East escalated sharply on Thursday after Iranian state media announced the closure of the Strait of Hormuz to commercial shipping and warned that any vessel…