US-Iran Peace Deal Nears as Tanker Hit Off Oman Amid Fresh Hormuz Tensions
A potentially historic agreement to end months of conflict between the United States and Iran is expected to be finalized within the next 24 hours, according to Pakistani mediators, raising hopes for a breakthrough in one of the Middle East's most dangerous crises.Pakistan's Prime Minister, who has played a central mediation role, said both sides have agreed to the wording of a memorandum aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The initial agreement is expected to be signed electronically before technical negotiations begin on unresolved issues.
However, the diplomatic momentum was overshadowed by fresh security incidents in the Gulf. Maritime reports indicated that a tanker operating off the coast of Oman was struck by an "unknown projectile," while U.S. military officials said multiple Iranian attack drones heading toward commercial shipping routes near the Strait of Hormuz were intercepted and destroyed.
The proposed framework would reportedly reopen Hormuz, ease restrictions on Iranian oil exports, release frozen Iranian assets and launch a 60-day process to address disputes surrounding Iran's nuclear program. Yet significant disagreements remain over Iran's uranium stockpiles, missile capabilities and broader regional security arrangements.
President Donald Trump has publicly complained about what he described as inaccurate leaks regarding the deal's contents, insisting that some reported provisions do not reflect the actual agreement being negotiated. Iranian officials have likewise maintained that Tehran's core security and sovereignty interests remain non-negotiable.
The conflict, which has disrupted energy markets and threatened global shipping through one of the world's busiest oil chokepoints, has already triggered repeated military confrontations involving U.S., Iranian and regional forces. Any final agreement could mark the most significant diplomatic breakthrough since the war erupted earlier this year.