President Donald Trump is claiming a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is imminent and could come Wednesday or Thursday.
Trump was asked about the timing of an announcement coming as early as Wednesday.
“It could happen. Tomorrow or the next day,” the president said as he boarded Air Force One in Los Angeles. “A lot of progress has been made.”
“They (Iran) called me, and they said, ‘Please let’s talk.’ They want to talk. The funny thing is they never mentioned that. They always say we’re not talking, but they called. They want to talk. We’ve been talking,” Trump continued.
“They want to make a deal. They do not want to be hit. The biggest hit since World War II, as I said. And they saw it happening. They saw all the good things being loaded,” Trump said. “They knew exactly what was happening. And I think it would be very smart t0 make a deal. We’ll see what happens.”
Regional officials told the Associated Press talks between Iran and Omanhave focused letting ships enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through one controlled by Oman.
The Trump administration has rejected any deal giving Iran control over the waterway.
The strait carried roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and gas before the war.
Disruptions in shipping have resulted in fuel prices rising and added to broader increases in consumer prices around the world.
Brent crude, the international oil benchmark, fell 1.2% to $78.43 a barrel early Wednesday, NBC News reported in wake of an alleged deal.