Iran peace deal looms while new military action flares near Strait of Hormuz

Article excerpt

The United States and Iran signaled Friday that a deal to end their conflict was imminent, with a senior U.S. official announcing both sides had agreed on a text and Washington expects to sign an initial agreement within days. Yet the diplomatic momentum faces a test from renewed military escalation near the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of global oil passes. The timing underscores the fragility of Middle East peace efforts: even as negotiators close in on a framework, armed forces on both sides continue probing each other's resolve.