Iran says Oman deal is in 'final stages,' US must act to open Hormuz, Houthis attack Saudi Arabia

Iran announced on Sunday that a deal with Oman to define new shipping lanes in the Strait of Hormuz is in its "final stages." However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reiterated that the strait, a critical global oil and LNG transit point, would only reopen once the United States meets other conditions, including compensation for attacks and the lifting of sanctions. The US official stated that an agreement was close and would lead to the lifting of the blockade on Iranian ports once commercial shipping is restored without impediments. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels, allies of Iran, claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Saudi Aramco's Jazan refinery on Sunday, following a defense pact signed by Saudi Arabia with Turkey and Pakistan.