BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 4. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says the United States and Iran could reach an agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz as early as "today or tomorrow."
Speaking in an interview with CNBC, Bessent said negotiations with Tehran were continuing and expressed optimism about the prospects for an agreement.
"We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict," he said.
Asked whether Iran would be permitted to charge transit fees, Bessent said the proposed arrangement would ensure freedom of navigation through the strategic waterway.
"It would be freedom of movement," he said.
The Treasury secretary acknowledged that security conditions remain fragile but noted that commercial shipping activity has continued.
"Even though things are still a little dicey there over the past few days, we saw quite a few ships coming out even now."
Iran has not yet publicly commented on Bessent's remarks.
