U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance announced on Saturday that Washington will continue exerting pressure on Iran, stating that "the Iranians are in pain and want it to end."
Vance clarified that Washington is working on "establishing a route to ensure the safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz," adding, "Iran has informed us of their willingness to allow maximum oil flow through Hormuz, but we don't trust them." The vice president highlighted that "our plan requires Iran to refrain from firing upon commercial ships."
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi revealed that Iran and Oman are "very close" to reaching an agreement on a new shipping route via the Strait of Hormuz. However, Araqchi stressed that conditions, such as compensation for what Tehran describes as U.S. "violations" of the Islamabad memorandum of understanding, must be met. He also noted that Iran and Oman are discussing a temporary navigation route until technical and legal issues concerning a permanent path are resolved.
Previously on Friday, a U.S. official indicated that progress between Iran and Oman might soon lead to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, potentially resuming oil exports disrupted by the war that broke out five months ago. The official added that the United States would lift its blockade on Iranian ports once an agreement is reached to restore unimpeded commercial shipping.
President Donald Trump's administration has frequently hinted in recent weeks that an agreement to open the strait might be imminent, despite Iran's denial of engaging in talks.
Direct high-level talks between Washington and Tehran have not occurred since Vice President Vance met with Iranian officials in Switzerland in June, shortly after a ceasefire agreement was reached. The short-term memorandum of understanding outlined on June 17 set the terms for resuming oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and resulted in a ceasefire.