Iran and U.S. Dispute Whether Direct Talks Are Occurring as Strait of Hormuz Deal Terms Emerge
Iran and the United States are in a public dispute over whether direct negotiations are taking place to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran saying it is negotiating only with Oman and Washington insisting talks are ongoing at Iran's request. According to Reuters, Iran is seeking inbound control of shipping through the strait and oversight over outbound traffic under a temporary arrangement being discussed with Oman. A cargo ship reported being struck by an unknown projectile off the coast of Oman on Monday, even as both sides discussed a possible deal.
President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Monday that Iran had agreed to the "perimeters" of an agreement and that discussions were focused on reopening the Strait of Hormuz as a first phase, to be followed by denuclearization. "We are talking. Right now, we're talking. And we're talking at the request of Iran. This is the last chance for them to sign a good document," Trump said, according to the Washington Examiner. He also stated that no tolls or fees on transiting ships would be permitted, saying: "If anybody's going to charge, we'll charge."
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said talks are underway with Oman over a temporary safe route through the strait — not an agreement to open the strait on Trump's terms. The Washington Examiner reported that Iran is not engaging directly with U.S. negotiators including Vice President JD Vance, Steve Witkoff, or Jared Kushner, and that Trump appears to be relying on regional intermediaries. On Truth Social, Trump called Iran's leaders "unbelievably duplicitous," accusing them of spending "hours and hours together talking" while publicly denying direct negotiations.
Reuters reported that the specific terms Iran is seeking include inbound control of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and oversight of outbound traffic, with the ability to intervene if necessary. According to the New York Times, as cited by the Washington Examiner, a deal being discussed between Iran and Oman would route ships entering the Persian Gulf through a channel hugging the Iranian coast, where a "service fee" would be charged, while outbound ships would use a channel near Oman.