Trump Says Iran Talks Are Going ‘Quite Well.’ Tehran Claims Washington Is Ready To ‘Return To Commitments.’

Both Iran and the U.S. expressed optimism about the state of negotiations to reopen the Strait of Hormuz over the past hours.

President Donald Trump said talks are "working out quite well," but again warned strikes could resume if they fail. "We are ready to go," he said.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, on his end, said the U.S. is ready to "return to commitments."

He did not elaborate, but was likely referring to the memorandum of understanding sign between the countries in mid June, where Iran agreed to allow for the passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz without collecting fees for 60 days. The U.S. had made different commitments of its own, including the blockade of Iranian ports.

Gharibabadi also said current negotiations involving navigation through the waterway are taking place between Iran and Oman, and "no negotiations with the US have taken place during this period."

He noted that an "understanding" between the countries about navigation was close to being finalized, with Tehran saying that "old routes no longer meet the current difficult conditions that have jeopardized the national security of the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei had also said that a deal was close provided that "some third parties do not obstruct work in this regard."

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Tehran is seeking to control inbound shipping through the Hormuz Strait and have oversight over outbound traffic.

Citing regional sources familiar with the matter, Axios detailed that the deal sets up a 60-day deal between Oman and Iran in the waterway. All inbound traffic would go through Iranian waters, while outbound traffic would go through Omani waters in coordination with Tehran.

No tolls or fees would be charged during that period, and parties would work to clear mines in the median lane within 30 days. After the median waterway is cleared, it would be used for both inbound and outbound traffic under a permanent deal to be negotiated between Iran and Oman.

Progress was apparent on Monday after the U.S. removed sanctions from entities tied to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Reuters detailed in another report that the U.S. ​Treasury Department's ​website no longer shows sanctions on two aircraft and three airlines tied to the powerful group in the country.