The Strait of Hormuz "is going to be open very soon", Trump said. Iran has halted most traffic through Hormuz while Washington maintains a blockade of Iran-related shipping and ports. Qatar had earlier said mediators were making progress in efforts ⁠to end the conflict, even after Tehran denied that talks were under way. The route being negotiated was aimed at ensuring the sovereign rights and national security of both Iran and Oman, it said. Iran has long demanded control over the Strait of Hormuz, which it says it should share with Oman on the opposite shore.