Archive · 6 Aug 2026
Vance Says US-Iran Strait of Hormuz Talks Remain 'Messy'
Iran closed an important sea route called the Strait of Hormuz, where many ships carry oil and gas.
Because the strait is closed, prices for fuel and other everyday goods have gone up around the world.
The United States wants Iran to reopen the strait, and the two countries are talking about an agreement.
President Donald Trump says a deal could be announced very soon.
However, Vice President JD Vance says the talks are 'messy' and will take time.
Iran says it is almost finished writing an agreement with a country called Oman.
The draft still needs approval from Iran's top leader.
One big part of the deal is that the US may stop blocking Iran's ports, while Iran wants to keep some control over the waterway.
Many countries are watching closely because the outcome affects oil prices everywhere.
US Vice President JD Vance acknowledged that negotiations with Iran remain 'messy' and will take time despite recent progress.
Iran said it is in the final stage of drafting a Strait of Hormuz agreement with Oman, while Trump predicted a breakthrough could come 'tomorrow or the next day'.
Two regional officials told The Associated Press that Iranian and Omani negotiators finalized a draft deal, pending approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei.
The agreement is likely to depend on the US lifting its blockade on Iran's ports, while Iran insists on some measure of control over the waterway.
The closure of the strait, which carried about one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas, has driven up fuel and basic goods prices globally.
- Who
- US Vice President JD Vance, President Donald Trump, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei, negotiators from Iran and Oman, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
- What
- Negotiations to reach an agreement reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran says is in the final stage of drafting with Oman
- When
- Vance spoke on Wednesday; Trump said an announcement could come 'tomorrow or the next day'
- Where
- The United States, Iran and Oman, centered on the Strait of Hormuz
- Why
- Iran's assertion of control over the strait and attacks on shipping closed the waterway, driving up fuel and basic goods prices and roiling the global economy
Negotiators and deal supporters
Hawks and hardliners
Iran's internal divisions
Negotiators and deal supporters
Some Iranian officials want the conflict to end, and Iran says it is finalizing a Hormuz agreement with Oman.
Hawks and hardliners
Vance says Iranian 'crazy radicals' want the conflict to continue, and Iran insists on maintaining some measure of control over the waterway.
Pace and approach of the talks
Negotiators and deal supporters
Vance and Trump say real progress is being made, and Vance accepts being 'owned' with the effort to bring the conflict to a successful conclusion.
Hawks and hardliners
US foreign policy hawks criticize Vance's involvement in the negotiations, and the administration has ruled out any deal that would cement Iran's grip over the strait.
Control of the Strait of Hormuz
Negotiators and deal supporters
Iran insists on some measure of control, and officials describe the draft deal as a temporary solution that could pave the way for nuclear negotiations.
Hawks and hardliners
Critics resist any deal that cements Iran's control over the strait, whose closure and attacks on shipping disrupted global oil trade and raised prices.
- US Vice President
- JD Vance
- US President
- Donald Trump
- Status of talks
- Iran says agreement with Oman is in the 'final stage' of drafting
- Expected announcement
- Trump says a deal could be announced 'tomorrow or the next day'
- Key condition
- Agreement is likely to depend on the US lifting its blockade of Iran's ports
- Pending approval
- Draft awaits approval from Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei
- Global oil traffic
- The strait once carried about one-fifth of the world's traded oil and natural gas
- Impact of closure
- Higher fuel and basic goods prices; economic disruption worldwide