Mediators Report Progress on Iran Ceasefire and Reopening Strait of Hormuz

In late July and early August 2026, US, Qatari, Omani and Iranian officials reported progress in talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the US-Iran war and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that had been closed due to the conflict. Two US officials told the Associated Press that mediators saw advances in efforts to halt the war, while Qatari officials separately reported progress on both the ceasefire and the strait's reopening. Iran's foreign ministry said an agreement with Oman on a Strait of Hormuz shipping route was in its "final stages," though a spokesman did not provide details. President Trump said a deal to reopen the strait could come as early as Wednesday, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the strait could reopen "today or tomorrow," adding that he had held talks with Iranian officials aimed at moving toward a "more normalized position" in the conflict. Despite this optimism, the strait remained closed to shipping as of early August, and oil prices fell roughly 2% amid the speculation of an imminent resolution. A cargo vessel was reportedly struck by an unidentified projectile off the coast of Oman near the strait, an incident cited alongside the diplomatic progress, though details of the attack, including responsibility, were not confirmed across reports. The precise terms of any Iran-Oman shipping agreement, the exact timeline for reopening the strait, and the specific status of a broader US-Iran ceasefire remained unresolved as officials continued exchanging proposals.