US Treasury Secretary Bessent says chance of Hormuz deal with Iran by Aug 5

WASHINGTON – Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Aug 4 that the United States could reach a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Aug 5, adding that this would stabilise energy prices.

“We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalised position in this conflict,” Bessent said in an interview with CNBC.

Asked if a deal would allow Iran to charge a toll on shipping using the strait, Bessent said: “I think it would be freedom of movement.”

Bessent’s comments echoed those of US President Donald Trump on Aug 3, who insisted the waterway could reopen within hours after he pulled back from threats of a massive military strike on Iran.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry has denied that negotiations with Washington were taking place.

On Aug 4, an unknown projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a key point of tension in the US-Iran conflict.

Bessent was upbeat on the impact a deal with Iran over the strait would have on energy prices, where he said hundreds of ships are waiting to go out.

“Even though things are still a little dicey there over the past few days, we’ve (seen) quite a few ships coming out even now,” he said. “So you know, I’d expect the energy prices to settle back down, which, as I said, will be good for the entire world.” AFP