U.S. and Iran Negotiate Looser Hormuz Transit Rules

A regional official involved in mediation said the United States and Iran want to restore their interim ceasefire and are negotiating a compromise for Iran to administer vessel transit through the Strait of Hormuz with fewer restrictions on ships. The official described the pause in U.S. strikes and Iranian counterstrikes on neighboring states hosting American forces as a positive signal for de-escalation. Iran has demanded use of a route near its coast and said it may charge fees, while ships shifted toward an Omani route under U.S. overwatch. President Donald Trump said negotiations are continuing but warned that wider strikes remain possible.