US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: The future of one of the world’s most important energy routes now depends on a difficult diplomatic calculation: Washington wants ships moving safely through the Strait of Hormuz, while Tehran is demanding sweeping concessions before it agrees to fully reopen the waterway. On Saturday, US Vice President JD Vance said the United States was working on a system that could allow commercial vessels to move safely, including through possible demining operations.
At the same time, Iran said the Strait would remain closed until the US changes its approach and accepts a long list of demands.
The standoff comes as the US, Iran and Oman continue efforts to create a workable arrangement for maritime traffic. Oman said the negotiations were moving in a “positive and constructive atmosphere,” but recent attacks on vessels have underlined how difficult it could be to restore normal shipping.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: JD Vance Says US Working on Safe Hormuz Route
Vance said Washington was using diplomatic, economic and military measures to secure what it considers the best possible outcome in the Iran situation.
In an interview aired on Fox News, Vance said he felt confident about the direction of the talks and indicated that the US had seen some movement in negotiations.
“Our expectation is you’re going to see the same amount of oil and gas come out of the Gulf that you saw before the conflict started, and that is what the Iranians have told us that they are going to do. But you know, we don’t trust. We verify,” Vance said. “We actually look not at people’s words but people’s deeds”, he said
Vance said the immediate challenge was not simply announcing that Hormuz was open but creating a system that could protect vessels while they crossed the strategic waterway.
“What we’re really working through now is how you can actually set up a traffic scheme so that the ships that pass can pass through safely. That includes, of course, demining,” Vance added.
His comments show that Washington is focusing on the practical side of reopening the strait, particularly shipping safety and the removal of possible maritime mines.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Iran Sets Tough Conditions for Reopening Strait of Hormuz
While Washington is discussing how ships could safely move through Hormuz, Iran has linked the reopening of the waterway to a much broader political settlement.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council said the Strait would not reopen until the United States “corrects its behaviour.” The conditions include an end to US threats against Iran, a permanent halt to American military action against Iran and its regional allies, and the withdrawal of US forces from the area.
Tehran has also demanded the lifting of the naval blockade on Iranian ports, the removal of US sanctions and the unconditional release of frozen Iranian assets.
One of the most striking demands is $300 billion in compensation for damage caused by the war. Iran has also called for restrictions on US and Israeli vessels and proposed rules involving charges on ships using the waterway.
The demands raise the possibility that negotiations over shipping could become part of a much larger settlement covering military activity, sanctions, frozen assets and financial compensation.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Iran and Oman Work on Temporary Shipping Lanes
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said negotiators were getting closer to arrangements for temporary lanes for vessels entering and leaving the Persian Gulf.
However, Araghchi also warned that reaching an agreement would not automatically mean an immediate full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
That distinction could prove important for global energy markets. A limited or controlled shipping corridor would provide some relief to energy traders, but it would not necessarily restore the uninterrupted commercial traffic that existed before the conflict.
Iran and Oman have already been discussing the coordinates and administration of a potential shipping route. Recent reports said the two countries had reached an understanding on the geographic coordinates of a route, although Tehran warned that the arrangement alone would not guarantee maritime security.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Oman Urges Restraint as Talks Continue
Oman has emerged as a key channel in the negotiations between Iran and the wider international community.
Its foreign ministry said discussions on navigation arrangements were continuing in a positive and constructive environment. Muscat also warned against actions that could damage the progress made during the talks.
Oman condemned repeated attacks on vessels crossing the Strait without directly naming Iran.
The warning came after another maritime incident added to concerns about the safety of commercial shipping. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company said one of its vessels came under a missile attack while transiting the Strait early Saturday. No injuries were reported, and the situation was brought under control, according to the UAE’s state news agency WAM.
Three other vessels linked to the UAE’s largest oil producer had also faced attacks during the week.
The incidents demonstrate why the creation of a secure traffic system remains one of the biggest challenges facing negotiators.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Will the US Accept Iran’s Terms?
The biggest uncertainty remains whether Washington will accept any agreement reached between Iran and Oman.
Iran has insisted that the US is not a direct party to the proposed maritime arrangement. However, the United States maintains a naval presence and has imposed a blockade on Iranian ports, making Washington’s position critical to any lasting reopening of the waterway.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly demanded unrestricted navigation through Hormuz and has threatened further military action if Iran does not restore access.
At the same time, reports indicate that Washington could lift its naval blockade once Iran and Oman formally announce an agreement designed to restore commercial shipping.
That creates a complicated situation: Iran wants the US to withdraw and lift restrictions before fully restoring access, while Washington wants evidence that vessels can move safely before it relaxes its pressure.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Supreme Leader’s Approval Could Decide the Next Step
Any major agreement involving Iran’s strategic position in the Strait of Hormuz would also need approval from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei.
Iranian officials have indicated that reaching the Supreme Leader for approval can take time. There is currently no clear indication that he has formally approved the latest maritime proposals.
That means even if Iranian and Omani negotiators complete the technical details of a shipping arrangement, a final announcement could still face delays.
US-Israel-Iran War Latest Live News: Oil Markets Watch Every Hormuz Development
The uncertainty around Hormuz continues to influence crude oil markets because the waterway remains crucial to the movement of Gulf energy supplies.
Oil prices have moved sharply as traders assess whether negotiations can restore regular shipments. Brent crude settled above $83 a barrel, recording its third consecutive weekly decline as expectations of a possible deal increased.
For energy markets, the difference between a temporary shipping corridor and a complete reopening is significant. A reliable reopening could bring millions of barrels of oil and other energy supplies back into regular international trade, while continued restrictions could keep a risk premium in prices.
For now, the two sides remain far apart on the political terms even as they appear to be discussing practical arrangements for shipping.
The next stage of the negotiations will therefore depend on whether Washington and Tehran can separate the immediate need for safe maritime traffic from their much wider disagreements over sanctions, military forces, compensation and control of the Strait of Hormuz.
