Rubio Says There Is Progress in Hormuz Strait Talks and Hopes There Will Be an Agreement

JAKARTA - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said there was progress in discussions with Iran and Oman on efforts to pass more ships through the Strait of Hormuz, but no final agreement had been reached.

"There has been progress in the talks, but there has been no final settlement. We hope that it will happen soon," Foreign Minister Rubio told reporters at the State Department, launching Al Arabiya (5/8).

Previously, Finance Minister Scott Bessent said the United States could reach an agreement with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Wednesday at the latest, adding that this step would stabilize energy prices.

"We are having discussions with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we can reach an agreement today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normal position in this conflict," Finance Minister Bessent said in an interview with CNBC.

When asked whether the agreement would allow Iran to collect tolls on shipping crossing the strait, Finance Minister Bessent replied: "I think this will guarantee freedom of traffic."

Bessent's comments echoed those of US President Donald Trump on Monday, who insisted the waterway could be reopened within hours after he had scrapped a threat of a major military strike against Iran over the weekend.

Separately, Iran's Foreign Ministry has denied any negotiations with Washington.

Finance Minister Bessent is optimistic about the impact of the agreement with Iran regarding the strait on energy prices, given that hundreds of ships are currently waiting to pass out.

"Although the situation there has been somewhat uncertain for the past few days, we have seen quite a few ships that have managed to get out even now," explained Finance Minister Bessent.

"So, I expect energy prices to stabilize again, which - as I said - will have a positive impact on the whole world," he concluded.

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Tag: internasional iran konflik timur tengah selat hormuz amerika serikat marco rubio