The United States has expressed optimism that a deal to reopen the\nStrait of Hormuz could be reached imminently, possibly as early as\nTuesday or Wednesday local time. The hope comes just hours after a cargo\nship was targeted in the vital waterway. US Treasury Secretary Scott\nBessent told CNBC there is a significant chance an agreement could be\nreached within hours, reinforcing President Donald Trump\u2019s earlier\nprediction that the global oil supply route could be reopened on\nTuesday. Speaking from the White House, Trump maintained his\ncharacteristic diplomatic style, blending high optimism with stark\nwarnings, cautioning Tehran that this was a last opportunity before\ndecapitation of the power structure.<\/p>\n
Armed tensions between Tehran and Washington erupted on 28 February,\ntriggered by a surprise US and Israeli strike on Iran. Despite a\ntemporary ceasefire and preliminary agreements, diplomatic efforts over\nthe past five months have repeatedly stalled. The Strait of Hormuz\nremains the central flashpoint, with Iran seeking to maintain full\ncontrol and impose transit tolls, a prerogative it never exercised\nbefore the war and which the United States firmly opposes. Trump had\nthreatened to strike Iranian civilian infrastructure last week but later\nsoftened his stance, stating that the parameters of a deal were\nbeginning to take shape. He also indicated a willingness to continue\ntalks at the request of regional nations including Saudi Arabia, the\nUnited Arab Emirates, and Qatar.<\/p>\n
While Trump insists communication is ongoing, Iran\u2019s Foreign Ministry\nhas denied any direct negotiations with Washington. Qatar, acting as a\nmediator, confirmed that diplomatic efforts are continuing but stated\nthere are no plans for a direct meeting between Iranian and US\nofficials. Trump has downplayed the complexity of the issue, focusing\nprimarily on the immediate reopening of Hormuz, while acknowledging that\nthe issue of Iran\u2019s denuclearisation will take considerably longer.\nMeanwhile, he continues to apply pressure through a port blockade,\ndeclaring on social media that nothing enters Iran without US permission\nand that nothing will pass unless a deal or total surrender is\nachieved.<\/p>\n
Amid the diplomatic push, the situation on the ground remains\nperilous. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that a\ncargo ship was hit by an unknown projectile in the Strait of Hormuz off\nthe coast of Oman on Tuesday morning, with authorities still\ninvestigating the extent of damage and casualties. Iran continues to\nenforce an effective blockade of the strait, requiring vessels to\ncoordinate with its forces and follow routes close to the Iranian coast,\nforcing many commercial ships to take a southern route nearer to Omani\nwaters to avoid risk. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei\nstated that Tehran is negotiating a new route with Muscat but stressed\nthe talks are unrelated to reopening the Strait of Hormuz as demanded by\nthe US.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/us-optimistic-deal-to-reopen-strait-of-hormuz-will-be-reached-tomorrow-1785855042", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }