Iran’s negotiators signaled to the US that they could reopen the Strait of Hormuz before President Trump called off massive strikes on the country this weekend, according to reports — but the IRGC is already denying any deal.
Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Qatari and American diplomats that Tehran was prepared to make concessions on the Strait of Hormuz — including a deal that would allow ships to enter through Iranian waters, and exit via Oman, according to Israel’s N12 and reporter Barak Ravid.
However, other Iranian officials are already claiming there’s been no deal involving the strait, where nearly a fifth of the world’s seaborne oil supplies once flowed.
“There is no agreement whatsoever regarding the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the reports published on the subject are false,” an Iranian official said told Fars News Agency, which has ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The latest breakdown in the cease-fire deal came after Iran started attacking ships that were navigating Hormuz via a route through Omani waters that the US had opened.
Iran has maintained it must be allowed to charge tolls to ships crossing through that strait — thought such a toll would be illegal under international law.
Trump indicated that there had been a breakthrough when he opted to hold off on plans to launch a massive, multi-week attack against Iran that was reported to include strikes on critical infrastructure within the Islamic Republic.
“[W]e have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to,” Trump posted on Truth Social Saturday.
“This would include the Immediate, Complete, and Total OPENING OF THE HORMUZ STRAIT, and an end to Iran’s nuclear threat,” he added. “I have agreed, for the future benefit of the WORLD and, likewise, the survival of a successful and prosperous Iran, to cancel the attack, subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.”
Trump further threatened that the US “is locked and loaded and ready to go against the Islamic Republic of Iran, at levels of Military Terror, Strength, and Power not seen since World War II.”
Trump’s move also came after he spoke to Saudi leader Muhammad bin Salman, who urged him to hold off on a major strike.
Saudi media said MBS “emphasized the need to use the language of dialogue to reduce escalation and the importance of making all possible efforts to achieve a calming.”
Oman had also backed the proposal, according to N12, but there are questions about whether Araghchi is in sync with the IRGC — which has pushed to take a harder line than the politicians who are negotiating with the US.
The IRGC leadership have frequently blocked deals during negotiations with the US. Trump and his negotiators have long expressed frustration over internal Iranian divisions that have complicated discussions.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to carry out massive attacks on Iran before later backing off due to optimism about a breakthrough.
