Lead

Iran said on Wednesday it is in the “final stage” of drafting an agreement with Oman over the Strait of Hormuz, while US President Donald Trump has indicated a deal could be announced this week, raising the possibility of reopening the critical waterway and easing pressure on the global economy. The agreement, if finalized, could also lay the groundwork for Washington and Tehran to resume negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program, according to regional officials cited by Africa News and France 24 — English.

Coverage comparison

The reports from Africa News, Deutsche Welle, and France 24 — English each focus on the diplomatic push between Iran and Oman, though they differ in emphasis on potential obstacles. Africa News and France 24 — English both highlight the broader economic impact, with hundreds of vessels stranded in the Strait and rising fuel prices, while Deutsche Welle underscores the conditionality of the deal, quoting Iran’s Foreign Ministry warning that it could be blocked by “certain parties” — an apparent reference to the United States. All three outlets report that Iran has insisted on maintaining some measure of control over the Strait, a point of contention with Washington.

Key claims

  • Iran’s Foreign Ministry said the deal with Oman is in its “final stage” and will be issued as a joint statement “if certain parties do not obstruct this process,” as reported by both Deutsche Welle and France 24 — English.
  • US President Donald Trump said a deal to reopen the Strait could come this week, a claim carried by Africa News and France 24 — English.
  • Hundreds of vessels are stranded in the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict, according to Africa News.
  • The closure of the Strait, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s traded oil and natural gas once passed, has driven up the price of fuel and basic goods, roiling the global economy — a claim reported by Africa News and France 24 — English.
  • The potential deal would lay the groundwork for the US and Iran to resume negotiations on Tehran’s nuclear program, as stated by regional officials cited by Africa News.
  • Pakistan praised Oman’s role in making the Tehran-Muscat deal a reality, according to Deutsche Welle.
  • Iran has insisted on some measure of control over the Strait, saying it will not return to being an open international waterway as it was before the war, as reported by France 24 — English.
  • Two Israeli soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon, a claim carried solely by Deutsche Welle.

Perspectives

Iran

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said the agreement with Oman is in the “final stage” of drafting, and that a joint statement will be issued “if certain parties do not obstruct this process,” a comment reported by multiple outlets as an apparent reference to the United States. Iran has also stated that “the factors making the Strait of Hormuz insecure still exist on the part of the United States, particularly the naval blockade and other aggressive and threatening actions against Iran and its interests,” as quoted by Deutsche Welle.

United States

President Donald Trump has said a deal to reopen the Strait could come this week, according to reports from Africa News and France 24 — English. However, the US has previously stated it is strongly opposed to any arrangement that would see Iran charge fees or assert control over the waterway, as noted by France 24 — English. The Trump administration has not publicly confirmed the details of any potential agreement.

Oman and Pakistan

Oman has acted as a mediator in the negotiations. Pakistan praised Oman’s role in making the Tehran-Muscat deal a reality, according to Deutsche Welle, adding that the deal would pave the way for broader stability.