US and Iran Close to Peace Deal by Thursday, Axios: Reopening of Strait of Hormuz Could Be Announced Soon / Trump: If There Are Problems, Iran Will Be Hit…

The United States, Iran and Oman are close to reaching a preliminary agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, US media outlet Axios reported, citing two regional sources and a US official. According to the report, Washington aims to make the agreement public in the coming hours.

US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would be operational again “very soon,” otherwise Iran would be “hit hard.”

Trump’s remarks come as oil prices have fallen to their lowest level in three weeks, driven by expectations of an agreement.

During an interview with Fox News, the US president spoke after Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed that negotiations had advanced enough to create the possibility of resuming maritime traffic.

“We’re having very good discussions,” Trump said during a visit to California. He insisted that Iran was ready to reach an agreement that would end the months-long conflict.

“I think we could have a deal today or tomorrow. I don’t know exactly, but the chances are that by Thursday we will have reached a lasting agreement. They say they don’t want to talk, but then they call and say, ‘Let’s talk…’ Hormuz will very soon be 100% open, or Iran will be hit hard,” Trump stressed.

Senior US administration officials have said that the talks are moving forward, although no details have yet been released about what form a possible agreement might take.