Iran is considering allowing European nations to remove mines from the Strait of Hormuz, a potential climbdown that could form part of a deal to normalize shipping in the waterway and ease peace negotiations with the U.S. In public, Iran has repeatedly said it won’t allow foreign countries to join demining efforts in the critical transit point for oil and liquefied natural gas. Both Qatar and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said August 4 that some kind of deal, likely related to the Strait of Hormuz, is imminent. Iran is demanding control over the waterway and the collection of fees for its use — something the U.S. is firmly opposed to. An agreement likely hinges on the outcome of talks between Iran and Oman, which controls the strait’s southern coastline.