A purported deal between Iran and Oman to jointly control the Strait of Hormuz and share revenue from tolls is “not even close to done” and would be insignificant while President Trump’s blockade of Iran is active, according to a U.S. official.
A spokesman for Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed on Wednesday that the two nations had reached an agreement on controlling the key shipping lane. However, the U.S. official told The Post that the terms are ill-defined and still appear to lack full approval from Iran’s leadership.
“The deals don’t mean anything unless we approve it. It doesn’t matter what the two of them — Iran and Oman — do. There is no deal without Trump pulling the blockade,” the official stated. The official added that the U.S. has information indicating the deal is “still subject to approval within Iran,” and recalled a previous instance where a similar agreement “died” while awaiting authorization.
President Trump had previously threatened to take military action against Oman if it finalized an agreement with Tehran to toll the Strait of Hormuz. The exact mechanism by which the Iran-Oman deal would generate revenue remains unclear, although earlier concepts described the tolls as “service fees” intended to cover environmental and security expenses.
This assertion comes as the U.S. intensifies its economic pressure on Iran. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced “Operation Economic Outcast” on Monday, aiming to compel countries to sever business ties with Iran. The official noted that the new sanctions are having a significant impact, citing long lines at Iranian gas stations as evidence.
“It is clear that the new sanctions are biting,” the official said, observing that fuel lines have stretched for “two to three miles.” Bessent had previously stated that the administration intends to “collapse this regime” through economic hardship, pointing to rising inflation, unemployment, and a decline in Iran’s currency value.
Despite stalled peace talks, the official indicated that there are numerous attempts at communication, stating, “there are so many reach outs, it’s hard to count them.”
Trump’s primary demand for any agreement with Iran has been the destruction of its highly enriched uranium to prevent nuclear weapons development. He has also rejected the idea of Iranian control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The U.S. government's belief that the Oman-Iran deal has not received final approval in Tehran suggests the IRGC may have prematurely announced the agreement. IRGC spokesman Hossein Mohebbi had previously informed the state-run Sepah News agency that agreements had been reached regarding each country's share of the strait's waters and revenue.
President Trump stated on Thursday that the Strait of Hormuz remains open to all ships except those traveling to or from Iran. He expressed no eagerness to resume formal peace talks, saying, “We don’t want to speak to them. We’re not looking to meet or anything. The strait is open.” He emphasized that millions of barrels of oil pass through the strait daily and that other countries acknowledge its openness.
