Iran-Oman Hormuz reopening deal talks

Iran is nearing a final pact with Oman to define new shipping lanes through the Strait of Hormuz, but Tehran insists the waterway will not reopen until the United States meets its conditions, including compensation for war damages, lifting sanctions, ending military threats, and releasing frozen assets. The deal, reportedly in its final stages, would establish new shipping lanes once the US fulfills these demands. The US has indicated it will lift its naval blockade of Iranian ports once commercial shipping is restored, with actions tied to Iran's implementation of commitments. Meanwhile, Iran's Revolutionary Guards have maintained the closure, calling the strait a 'theater of war.' The crisis has escalated with Iran attacking an ADNOC tanker, and Houthi rebels attacking Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery and declaring a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia has signed a defense pact with Turkey and Pakistan in response to regional instability. The conflict stems from US and Israeli air strikes on Iran that began in late February, leading to a ceasefire in June that later broke down.