WASHINGTON — The United States and Iran could reach an agreement by Tuesday or Wednesday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore freedom of navigation for commercial shipping, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Tuesday.”We are in talks with the Iranians,” Bessent told CNBC. “There is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the Strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict.”Asked whether Iran would be permitted to charge transit fees, Bessent said the proposed agreement would guarantee freedom of movement through the strategic waterway.”It would be freedom of movement,” he said, adding that despite recent tensions, commercial vessels had continued to transit the strait.Meanwhile, Qatar said mediators were working closely to facilitate negotiations between Washington and Tehran, including the exchange of draft proposals aimed at reaching a diplomatic solution.Speaking at a press conference in Doha, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari said Qatar’s position remains focused on restoring normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.”There is currently no clear timeline for reaching an agreement,” Al-Ansari said, expressing hope that a deal would be finalized as soon as possible.He added that Qatar, Pakistan and Oman were coordinating efforts to advance negotiations and exchange draft proposals between the two sides, while praising Oman’s significant mediation role in recent weeks.
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