Iran says Oman deal is in 'final stages' but US must act to open Hormuz

The United States began air strikes on Iran in late February saying it aimed to ensure the Islamic republic could not acquire nuclear weapons or threaten the region with missiles or proxies.

It agreed a ceasefire with Iran in June, but reimposed a blockade on Iranian shipping in the Gulf in July, which Tehran said was a violation of the truce that had already broken down.

"Once the deal is announced to restore commercial shipping without impediments, the United States will lift the blockade of Iranian ports," the U.S. official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

U.S. actions would be tied to Iran's implementation of its commitments, the official said.

The U.S. comments indicated delicate sequencing towards a deal that sources had told Reuters appeared to be set to give Tehran control over ships entering the Gulf through the strait, something shippers said was not easily workable.