Overview
- A U.S. official said on Friday there has been progress between Iran and Oman and Washington expects a deal soon that could let normal shipping resume.
- The United States has tied lifting its blockade of Iranian ports to a clear, performance‑based restoration of commercial transit that has no approvals, tolls, or other impediments.
- Iranian state media and parliament spokespeople say a preliminary “general framework” with Oman exists but that the text requires higher‑level approval in Tehran before any announcement.
- Major disputes remain over Iran’s reported demands to route ships through Iranian waters, ban vessels linked to the U.S. and Israel, and impose transit fees of up to 7 percent, a model Washington says would violate international navigation rules.
- Markets have shown optimism that a deal could ease oil‑supply strains, but the outlook is fragile because of recent attacks on ships, Houthi operations, insurance and legal questions, and internal Iranian splits between President Masoud Pezeshkian and hardline institutions that could block approval.