Trump is also under mounting pressure to end an unpopular war ahead of midterm congressional elections. Oil prices initially eased on hopes of a deal that would allow shipping to resume but later inched upward. The U.S. and Iran reached a deal to open the strait in June, only for attacks to resume. The officials, who were briefed on the negotiations, portrayed the potential deal as a temporary solution to the U.S.-Iranian dispute over vessels’ transit through the Strait of Hormuz. Attacks on shipping continueEven as hopes increased that a deal on the Strait of Hormuz could be imminent, attacks on shipping in the region continued.