US official says Iran-Oman Hormuz pact futile while Trump’s blockade stays
A US official told the Post that the alleged Iran-Oman agreement to manage the Strait of Hormuz is far from finalized and meaningless as long as President Trump’s sanctions remain.
A US government spokesperson told the Post that the rumored pact between Iran and Oman to control the Strait of Hormuz and split toll revenues is still far from completion and would be ineffective while President Trump’s blockade continues. The IRGC’s spokesman had earlier announced that the two countries had agreed on water shares and revenue splits, but the US noted that Tehran’s top officials have not yet signed off, recalling a previous similar proposal that collapsed.
Trump has previously threatened to bomb Oman should it formalize a toll arrangement with Tehran and has not offered to resume peace talks. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent unveiled “Operation Economic Outcast,” aiming to pressure nations to cut ties with Iran, a move that has already produced multi-mile fuel queues at Iranian stations. The administration’s core demand remains the dismantling of Iran’s highly enriched uranium program and a refusal to allow post-war Iranian control of the strait. The official stressed that numerous diplomatic outreach attempts continue despite the stalled negotiations.
Why it matters
U.S. sanctions block a regional deal that could affect global oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz.
How this story developed
- Jul 20 U.S. and Iran intensify air strikes over Strait of Hormuz, diplomacy stalls
- Aug 24 Iran formally rejected the U.S. claim to Hormuz and demanded Washington meet a 14‑point memorandum before the passage is reopened.
- Aug 25 Iran pledged to respond to the United States' broadened sanctions, while Washington warned trading partners of possible financial penalties.
- Aug 25 Iranian rial fell to a record 2.02 million per US dollar.
- Aug 25 President Trump held an impromptu press briefing focused on construction projects rather than the Iran conflict.
- Aug 25 The Treasury listed about 60 Iranian individuals, entities and vessels for sanction and detailed secondary penalties for foreign firms.
- Aug 25 A senior Pakistani delegation met with Iran's president in Tehran for talks described as very positive.
- Aug 25 The United States announced sanctions on roughly 60 Iran‑linked parties.
- Aug 25 Somali pirates captured six merchant vessels across the Gulf of Aden and western Indian Ocean since April.
- Aug 25 Oman’s foreign ministry said its senior diplomat met Iran’s foreign minister to discuss a temporary navigation corridor and joint mine‑clearance.
- Aug 26 Iran reiterated that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed despite ongoing negotiations with Oman.
- Aug 27 Iran and Oman concluded preliminary negotiations on a revenue‑sharing framework for Strait of Hormuz traffic.
- Aug 27 President Trump spent a White House press briefing largely describing construction projects and avoided mentioning the Iran war.
- Aug 27 China issued a warning that it will retaliate if any Chinese entity is hit by the new sanctions.
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