US officials expect Hormuz reopening announcement Aug 5

A potential deal to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz could be announced as soon as August 5 or 6, according to U.S. officials, though conflicting statements from Iran have cast uncertainty over the status of direct negotiations. The agreement aims to restore commercial shipping through the narrow waterway, a critical global energy corridor that has been severely disrupted since the outbreak of war between the United States, Israel, and Iran on February 28.

U.S. President Donald Trump said on August 4 that significant progress had been made in discussions involving the United States, Iran, and Oman, and that an announcement could come within a day or two. He warned, however, that if the strait does not reopen soon, Iran would face severe military consequences. Trump stated that reopening the waterway is a first phase, to be followed by negotiations on Iran's nuclear program. He also claimed to have suspended a planned major military operation to allow diplomacy to proceed.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent echoed the optimism, telling CNBC on August 4 that a deal could be reached as early as that day or August 5 to restore "freedom of movement" for commercial...