Axios has learned details about the deal between the U.S. and Iran: it is supposed to keep the Strait of Hormuz open for 60 days

The United States, Iran, and Oman are close to reaching an interim agreement on resuming shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The agreement, which the parties are currently discussing, calls for opening this vital energy export route for 60 days—without charging commercial vessels any transit fees or other charges. The deal could subsequently be extended, two sources in the Middle East told Axios, and an unnamed U.S. official confirmed.

The U.S. plans to announce that a preliminary agreement has been reached as early as Wednesday, August 5.

Despite Iran’s claims that no negotiations with the U.S. are taking place, the parties have been discussing the agreement in question for the past few weeks, according to sources who spoke with Axios. It aims to restore the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, as well as to resume dialogue on the nuclear deal. In its current draft, the plan calls for:

— All ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz toward the Persian Gulf will follow the northern route—through Iranian territorial waters.

— Outbound traffic—to the Arabian Sea—will follow the southern route, through Omani waters, in coordination with Iran.

— For 60 days following the conclusion of the agreement, no fees for the passage of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz or other charges will be levied.

— The parties also agree to begin clearing the strait of mines within 30 days.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi generally agreed to these terms over the weekend, according to two sources in the Middle East who spoke with Axios, though they noted that the plan still needs to be approved by Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and the Supreme National Security Council. Later—on August 4—a U.S. official and one of the publication’s sources in the Middle East reported that Iranian leaders had finalized their approval of the interim deal.

This article is being updated

This article was AI-translated and verified by a human editor