Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said that the United States could reach a deal with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by Wednesday, adding that this would stabilise energy prices.

 

"We are in talks with the Iranians, and I think there is a chance we may have a deal today or tomorrow to open the strait and move towards a more normalized position in this conflict," Bessent said Tuesday in an interview with CNBC.

 

Asked if a deal would allow Iran to charge a toll on shipping using the strait, Bessent said: "I think it would be freedom of movement."

 

Bessent's comments echoed those of US President Donald Trump on Monday, who insisted the waterway could reopen within hours after he pulled back from threats of a massive military strike on Iran.

 

Iran's foreign ministry has denied that negotiations with Washington were taking place, and on Tuesday, an unknown projectile hit a cargo ship in the Strait of Hormuz, a key point of tension in the US-Iran conflict.

 

Bessent was upbeat on the impact a deal with Iran over the strait would have on energy prices, where he said hundreds of ships are waiting to go out.

 

"Even though things are still a little dicey there over the past few days, we've (seen) quite a few ships coming out even now," Bessent said.

 

"So you know, I'd expect the energy prices to settle back down, which, as I said, will be good for the entire world."

 

A crew member went missing while two others fought a fire aboard a vessel struck by an "unknown projectile" in the Strait of Hormuz, a British maritime security company said on Wednesday.

 

The incident added to mounting concerns over the status of US-Iran talks to end the war and resume traffic in the key waterway, as US President Donald Trump insisted it could reopen within hours while Iran said no talks with Washington were underway.

 

Earlier, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel reported being "hit by an unknown projectile" and authorities were investigating, adding that the incident occurred 20 nautical miles northeast of Al Khasab, Oman.

 

British maritime security company Vanguard Tech identified the ship as the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier MINOAN PIONEER, hit while transiting northbound through the Strait of Hormuz at 2:00 am (2200 Monday GMT).

 

"The projectile reportedly struck the engine room, while a fire broke out in the accommodation area. The crew are fighting the fire and require assistance, while the third engineer is reported missing," Vanguard said.

 

"The initial distress call was relayed by the nearby Panama-flagged tanker SURIANAME PROSPERITY (IMO: 9376740), which reported that MINOAN PIONEER had suffered a complete blackout and required assistance," the company added.