Iran war live: Tehran, Oman close in on Hormuz deal; Houthis attack tankers

Iran says a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is “on the verge of being finalised“, after both countries agreed on the coordinates of routes through the critical waterway.
US President Donald Trump again claims Washington is in talks with Tehran and says he prefers diplomacy to war.
Israel releases 24 Palestinian detainees from Gaza
The International Committee of the Red Cross says it has facilitated the transfer of 24 Palestinian detainees to the Gaza Strip following their release from Israeli prisons.

It said the detainees were transported from the Karem Abu Salem crossing to the Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, where they underwent medical examinations.

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Office said the detainees came from cities and refugee camps across Gaza and included several elderly people.

It said the release brings to 636 the number of detainees who have returned to Gaza under the Hamas-Israel ceasefire agreement.
Tanker transiting Hormuz reports sound of two explosions
The United Kingdom’s Maritime Trade Operations agency (UKMTO) says it has received a report of an incident off the coast of Kumzar in Oman.

“The master of a tanker has reported hearing two explosions whilst transiting in the Strait of Hormuz,” it said.

“The report confirms that crew and vessel are safe,” it added.
Vance defends Iran talks, calls Tehran’s leaders ‘fractured’ and ‘difficult’
US Vice President JD Vance has defended the Trump administration’s handling of negotiations with Iran, calling the Iranians “extraordinarily difficult people” and the talks a complex, uneven process.

“First of all, if they want to make me own the effort to try to bring this war to a successful conclusion, I’m happy to let them make me own it,” Vance told Fox News.

“I am absolutely trying to do that, but… that sometimes requires one step forward, two steps back, then three steps forward, and one step back, I can certainly understand the American people are maybe looking at this, and they say, well, it seems like we’re making progress, and then it seems like we’re not.”

He argued Iran is difficult to negotiate with partly because its government is divided.

“The reality is that number one, the Iranians are extraordinarily difficult people,” Vance said. “Number two, they have a fractured system, so there are people within their system who want the war to be over. There are also people within their system, who are crazy radicals, who want the war to continue. Our job is to navigate through that and get the best outcome for the American people, but for the president of the United States as well,” he added.
US-Iran deal edges closer
A deal between the US and Iran could be signed within 48 hours, according to US officials. The agreement would reportedly focus on reopening the Strait of Hormuz and could mark a first step towards broader negotiations.

A recap of recent developments
Iran says a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is “on the verge of being finalised” after both sides agreed on the coordinates of routes through the critical waterway.
US President Donald Trump again claims Washington is in talks with Tehran and says he prefers diplomacy to war because “I don’t want to kill people”.
Yemen’s Houthis claim attacks on two Saudi oil tankers, near Yanbu port in the Red Sea and in the Gulf of Aden.
Israel launches deadly air strikes on southern Lebanon after the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in an explosion in Majdal Salem.
Israel’s military pledges to continue “proactive” operations in Gaza as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will do “whatever it takes” to ensure its security, “with or without a deal”.

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