An Iran-Oman deal on control of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as crucial to a wider peace agreement. (AP PHOTO)An Iran-Oman deal on control of the Strait of Hormuz is seen as crucial to a wider peace agreement. The US official, who declined to be identified, said Washington anticipated an agreement soon between the two countries, which sit on either side of the strait, so normal oil traffic could resume. "There is progress between Oman and Iran on the strait, and we expect a deal soon," a US official told Reuters on Friday. That short-lived June 17 memorandum of understanding established terms for resuming Strait of Hormuz oil shipping and led to a ceasefire.