Trump signals imminent Strait of Hormuz deal as Middle East tensions peak
President Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday or Thursday, even as Iran proposes barring U.S. and Israeli vessels from the critical waterway. The announcement comes amid escalating military tensions, with Saudi Arabia bracing for coordinated militia attacks and Houthis claiming large-scale operations against Saudi forces.
Diplomatic Developments
Iran and Oman are close to finalizing a proposed framework for commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Tehran's deputy foreign minister said. U.S. President Donald Trump said a deal on the Strait of Hormuz could come as early as Wednesday or Thursday. The agreement would not automatically reopen the waterway, he warned. Iran has also denied any direct negotiations with the US.
Iran's Proposed Restrictions
An Iranian parliamentary committee is reviewing a preliminary bill that would bar U.S., Israeli and other "hostile" vessels from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's semi-official Fars news agency reported, citing a lawmaker. Iran and Oman appear to be near finalizing a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz and give Iran far more control of the strategic waterway than before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran five months ago. Under the proposed deal, ships heading into the Persian Gulf would transit through a channel controlled by Iran.
Regional Security Escalation
The kingdom is bracing for "multiple coordinated attacks" by Iraqi militias working with Iran-backed Houthi rebels, a Saudi official told CNN, as the Middle East conflict threatens to broaden in the region. Al Jazeera described the attack as the fiercest military escalation in Yemen since 2022. News of the anticipated attacks comes ahead of a joint Turkish-Saudi-Pakistani summit in Mecca, the holiest city in Islam, on Friday, where a joint defense agreement is expected to be declared, according to regional sources.
Broader Conflict Context
More than 20 million Shia Muslim pilgrims gathered in the Iraqi city of Karbala this week for the annual commemoration of the 7th Century killing of a central figure of their faith. Iran is mostly Shia and this year greater numbers of Iranians participated in the pilgrimage, many say because of the killing of their modern-day religious leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed by airstrikes in the early days of the U.S. and Israel's war with Iran.