Trump Says Strait of Hormuz Deal Imminent as Iran, Oman Finalize Draft

U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be announced as early as Wednesday, as Iranian and Omani negotiators finalized a draft agreement on the critical waterway.  Speaking to reporters traveling with him in California on Tuesday evening, Trump responded to a question about an Axios report that an announcement could come Wednesday. “It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” he said. “A lot of progress has been made.”  Two regional officials briefed on the negotiations told the Associated Press that Iranian and Omani negotiators have finalized a draft deal to reopen the strait and are awaiting final approval from Iran’s supreme leader.  The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the potential agreement as a temporary solution to the U.S.-Iranian dispute over vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz.  The possible agreement calls for ships to enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman. Service fees would be charged for providing security and preserving the maritime environment, the officials said.  Oman has not officially commented.  Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, said the agreement with Oman is in the “final stage” of drafting, and that a joint statement will be issued “if certain parties do not obstruct this process,” in an apparent reference to the United States.  The Trump administration has previously ruled out any deal that would give Iran control over the strait, which was an open international waterway before the war.  The U.S., along with Israel, launched the war on Feb. 28, citing goals including toppling Tehran’s government and ending its nuclear program.  The conflict has devolved into a fight over the strait as Iranian threats and attacks on shipping ground traffic through the waterway to a halt.  Closure of the strait, through which a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas once passed, has driven up fuel and basic goods prices, roiling the global economy.  Oil prices initially eased on hopes of a deal but later inched upward. Brent crude, the international standard, was around $80 per barrel on Wednesday, still well below levels hit at the height of the conflict.  The U.S. and Iran reached a deal to open the strait in June, only for attacks to resume.  In recent days, Trump has alternately threatened massive strikes and voiced support for diplomatic efforts.  Trump told Fox News’ “@ Night” show that the administration had “very good discussions” with Iran during all-day negotiations on Tuesday. “If they back out again, they are going to get hit really hard,” he said.  Even as hopes increased that a deal could be imminent, attacks on shipping in the region continued.  Trump is under mounting pressure to end an unpopular war ahead of midterm congressional elections.