50:50

Gulf official tells CNN “50:50” chance Iran and Oman could reach deal by Friday

By Tim Lister and Sana Noor Haq

There is a “50:50” chance Iran and Oman will reach a deal on Friday, according to a senior Gulf official familiar with the talks, despite US President Donald Trump suggesting an agreement was imminent.

The Gulf source told CNN that the Iranian delegation does not include the voice of the hardline Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which would have to sign off on the details of a provisional agreement.

Trump claimed US officials were having “very good discussions” with Iranian counterparts – but doubled down on threats to “hit” the country “really hard” if officials “back out again” of a deal. In separate comments he also suggested an agreement on the strait could come as early as today.

What does Iran say? Iran has so far denied ongoing peace talks include direct communication with Washington, insisting that officials are solely speaking with Oman to iron out navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Some diplomats have stated that the unblocking of the channel - a key bargaining chip in the negotiations - could revive discussions between the US and Iran.