Iran's Supreme National Security Council is expected to approve a deal shortly with the US and Oman to open and oversee the Strait of Hormuz together with Oman, Axios reported Friday evening, citing a diplomat from a mediating country.
On Friday evening, a US official corroborated that report, telling Reuters that there has been progress in the negotiations.
"There is progress between Oman and Iran on the Strait, and we expect a deal soon," the official said. "Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports."
"As always, US actions will continue to be performance-based and tied to Iran’s implementation of its commitments," the official said.
On Tuesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that progress had been made in talks and that the US was "hoping" for an agreement, after which Axios reported that the White House wanted a deal announced as early as Wednesday, citing a US official.
This is a developing story.