Day 159 | US hopeful Hormuz deal will be done “today or tomorrow”
The United States was hopeful that a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz would be done "today or tomorrow", a top official said Tuesday, sending oil prices tumbling on optimism for increased shipments in the vital waterway.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told broadcaster CNBC "there is a chance we may have a deal" in the coming hours, echoing remarks from President Donald Trump the day before.
Speaking from the White House on Monday, Trump kept up his now familiar combination of optimism for diplomacy and bellicose threats, warning that this was Iran's "last chance before decapitation".
Tehran and Washington have been at war since February 28, when the US and ‘Israel’ launched surprise attacks on Iran.
Despite a ceasefire and a preliminary deal in the months since, diplomacy has failed to end the conflict.
Underlining the fragility of the situation, one crew member was listed missing Tuesday on a merchant ship hit by a projectile in Hormuz, with fire erupting in the accommodation area.
The Strait of Hormuz, a key conduit for global oil and gas supplies, has been the spark for repeated returns to fighting.
Iran wants to maintain control over and charge tolls in the strait, powers it did not exercise before the war and which the US fiercely opposes.
In what has become a regular pattern, Trump last week threatened to hit Iran "very hard", potentially with attacks against civilian infrastructure, only to pull back later, hinting that a deal was near.
But Iran's foreign ministry denied negotiations with Washington were taking place, even as Trump insisted they were happening "right now".
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the United States was involved in negotiations between Oman and Iran on increasing traffic through the Hormuz.
"There's been progress made in those talks but not finality yet. We're hoping that will happen very shortly," he told journalists.
The closure of the Hormuz has rattled global markets, and rekindled hopes for its reopening drove benchmark Brent North Sea Crude prices down nearly five percent to $79.69 per barrel on Tuesday.
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Read more: Day 160 | Iran, Oman agree on Strait of Hormuz shipping route
Iran says has agreed new Hormuz route with Oman
Iran and Oman have agreed a route for ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz and are putting the final touches on arrangements for jointly managing the passage, Tehran's foreign ministry said Wednesday.
"The geographical coordinates of the route envisaged by the two sides have been agreed upon and, if certain third parties do not obstruct the process, the joint statement of the two countries, containing the main considerations and points of agreement, is also in the final review and drafting stage," spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said, according to state news agency IRNA.
Iran, Oman reach agreement on Strait of Hormuz shipping route
Iran's Foreign Ministry announced that it has reached an agreement with Oman on the geographical characteristics of a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz following two months of negotiations.
In a statement, the ministry said the talks focused on establishing a safe maritime route to facilitate the secure passage of commercial vessels through the strategic waterway and help maintain the stability of regional navigation.
The ministry added that discussions with Oman have progressed "professionally" and continue to move forward positively, with the aim of safeguarding one of the region's most vital maritime corridors.
The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's busiest oil transit chokepoints, carrying a significant share of global crude oil and liquefied natural gas shipments.
The announcement comes amid heightened regional tensions and continued international attention on maritime security in the Gulf.
US lifts sanctions on Iran-linked airlines, aircraft
The US has removed counterterrorism sanctions from two aircraft and three airlines linked to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to Treasury Department records.
Lebanon state media says one dead, 11 wounded in 'Israeli' strike on south
Lebanon state media says one dead, 11 wounded in 'Israeli' strike on south
'Israel' army says begun striking southern Lebanon
The 'Israeli' military said it began striking targets in southern Lebanon on Wednesday in response to a "blatant violation of the ceasefire" by Hezbollah, just as 'Israel' and Lebanon held talks in Rome.
"In response to a blatant violation of the ceasefire by the Hezbollah terrorist organisation, the IDF has begun conducting precise strikes in southern Lebanon," the military said in a statement, shortly after telling residents to evacuate a village in the area.
'Israeli' bulldozers advance in southern Lebanon as military warns Mansouri residents to evacuate
'Israeli' bulldozers were reported moving through the town of Houla toward Wadi al-Saluki in southern Lebanon, according to Roya News' correspondent in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the 'Israeli' military issued an urgent evacuation warning to residents of the village of Mansouri, saying it was preparing to carry out operations against Hezbollah.
In a statement, the military accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement and said residents should immediately leave their homes and move at least 1,000 meters north to open areas.
The military said it did not intend to target civilians but warned that anyone remaining near Hezbollah members, facilities, or military equipment would be putting their lives at risk.
Iran backs “any measure” taken by Palestinian leaders in Gaza talks, president says
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran would support "any measure, initiative or decision" adopted by the Palestinian leadership during ongoing negotiations over a potential long-term agreement in Gaza.
According to Iranian state broadcaster IRIB, Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone call with Hamas Political Bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya, praising his "role and leadership in coordinating the Palestinian factions."
IRIB quoted Pezeshkian as saying that Iran would back any decision taken by the Palestinian leadership throughout the negotiations.
The remarks come after US President Donald Trump announced last week what he described as a historic agreement aimed at securing the disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza.
Hamas has said it would only proceed with such an agreement if 'Israel' halts its strikes on the Gaza Strip and withdraws its forces to the "yellow line" established under the October ceasefire agreement.
On Tuesday, 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented publicly on Trump's announcement for the first time, saying his government was reviewing the proposal.
"They sent us a draft. We have not agreed to anything," Netanyahu said.
'Israeli' media reports soldiers injured in southern Lebanon blast
Several 'Israeli' soldiers were injured after a landmine exploded in the town of Majdal Zoun in southern Lebanon, according to 'Israeli' media reports.
The reports said the soldiers were wounded in the blast and were evacuated by military helicopters to hospitals for treatment.
UN 'alarmed' by surge in Iran executions since March
UN rights chief Volker Turk said Wednesday he was "alarmed" by the rise in executions and death sentences issued in Iran since March, with capital punishment used to "instil fear".
"Since March 19, 2026, at least 56 people have been executed on national security-related charges, including 27 individuals in cases linked to protests at the start of the year," Turk said in a statement.
WATCH: Iranians mark Arbaeen with marches across Tehran
Iranian state media says any deal with Oman would not immediately reopen Hormuz
Any agreement between Iran and Oman on future shipping arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz would not lead to the immediate reopening of the strategic waterway, Iran’s state broadcaster IRIB reported, citing an informed source.
The source said negotiations over future navigation arrangements are being held exclusively between Tehran and Muscat and "have nothing to do with the United States."
"The possible agreement between Iran and Oman on the arrangements for vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with the immediate opening of this strait," the source said.
According to the report, the Strait of Hormuz would remain closed as long as what Tehran describes as "US violations" continue.
"The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz depends on a change in US behavior and the correction of its violations," the source added.
The remarks came after reports in Iranian media that Tehran and Muscat were close to reaching an understanding on a new navigation corridor, provided Washington stopped interfering in the negotiations.
Iranian officials have repeatedly accused the US of attempting to influence the talks and delaying an agreement through military threats.
Iranian MP says Trump approach to negotiations ‘contradictory and unreliable’
A member of Iran’s parliament national security committee has criticized US President Donald Trump’s approach to negotiations with Tehran, describing his statements as "contradictory and unreliable."
Esmail Kowsari told Iranian state broadcaster IRIB that Trump had claimed 75 times that the Strait of Hormuz was open, while it remained closed.
Kowsari also claimed that Trump had referred to "Iran’s defeat" 106 times and predicted an "imminent deal" with Tehran 88 times.
Trump said late Tuesday that an agreement with Iran could be reached within hours. Tehran, however, has repeatedly denied holding direct negotiations with Washington.
Trump says Strait of Hormuz could reopen Wednesday or Thursday
US President Donald Trump said the Strait of Hormuz could reopen on Wednesday or Thursday, as negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.
Speaking on Wednesday, Trump said the US is holding "very good" talks with Iran, adding that Tehran wants to reach an agreement and does not want to face US military strikes.
Trump also expressed hope that the United States would not have to carry out a major military strike against Iran.
Houthis claim missile attack on Saudi oil tanker in Red Sea
The Houthis said on Tuesday that they had targeted a Saudi oil tanker in the northern Red Sea off the coast of Yanbu.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group carried out the attack using missiles.
'Israel' claims to have destroyed underground tunnel in Lebanon
The 'Israeli' military claimed on Tuesday that it had destroyed a tunnel stretching several dozen meters in the village of Sarbin in southern Lebanon.
In a statement, the military said the tunnel was used by Hezbollah to "advance and execute attacks" against 'Israeli' soldiers.
The military also claimed that troops operating in southern Lebanon in recent days discovered a weapons cache containing Hezbollah rocket launchers and rockets.
According to the statement, 'Israeli' forces also found dozens of weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, anti-tank missiles, and other combat equipment.
India condemns attack on vessel near Yemen
An Indian-flagged vessel sank after being struck by a projectile near the coast of Yemen, Indian authorities said Tuesday, highlighting continued threats to commercial shipping in the region.
India's Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, said the MSV Faize Noore Oliya was "hit by a projectile near Yemeni waters." He did not identify those responsible for the attack.
Sonowal condemned what he described as an "unprovoked attack" and said all 14 crew members, including 13 Indian nationals, were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard and taken safely to the Port of Mokha.
India's Ministry of External Affairs described the continuing attacks on vessels in the region as "deeply worrisome" and called for an end to the targeting of commercial shipping.
According to Reuters, Yemen's Transportation Ministry accused the Iran-backed Houthi movement of carrying out the attack using an explosive-laden boat. The Houthis had not commented on the allegation.
The incident comes after the Houthis threatened last month to disrupt shipping through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. India, one of the world's largest suppliers of merchant seafarers, has thousands of sailors operating in the region, where escalating tensions continue to pose risks to international shipping.
Trump signals deal with Iran could come in 48 hours
US President Donald Trump said negotiations with Iran are "moving along very nicely," expressing optimism about the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the outcome of the talks should become clearer soon.
"We'll find out. We'll know in 48 hours," he said, without providing further details on the negotiations or any potential agreement.
IRGC says Iran will not make any agreement “under shadow of threats”
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said Wednesday that “US interference” and Trump’s threats are the “main reason” for the delay in the Hormuz Strait agreement with Oman.
The IRGC news outlet Sepah News said, citing an informed official, that “as long as there is US interference and the threat of a military attack on Iran, the agreement will be delayed”.
“Iran will not make any agreement under the shadow of threats,” the source added.
Trump says Hormuz will open “very soon” or Iran will be “hit very hard”
US President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz will be open “very soon”, adding that Iran would be “hit very hard” otherwise.
The statement comes after Axios reported that a deal involving Washington, Tehran, and Muscat regarding maritime traffic in Hormuz is close to completion.
"We're having very good discussions," Trump told Fox News during a visit to California, insisting that Iran was keen to seal a deal to bring an end to months of conflict.
“The Strait is going to be open very soon, or they're going to get hit very hard and then the Strait is going to be open," Trump said.
"We were going to [carry out] a tremendous attack, the biggest since World War II,” he added.
"And they called me and said very politely, 'Please, can we talk? Can we talk?'”
"And I said, 'Yes, we can talk. Let's get it done, finally. Let's get it done.'"
