Former Austrian defence attaché and security policy analyst Wolfgang Pusztai said a “very weak memorandum of understanding” is contributing to the risk of renewed violence in the Iran war situation. Speaking to Al Jazeera on August 5, he said an agreement on the Strait of Hormuz could emerge on Wednesday or Thursday, though he said nothing could yet be confirmed.

Pusztai said mediators were working to clarify elements of the weak memorandum, which he described as a factor behind the renewed spread of violence. He said the United States could accept an Iran-Oman arrangement that recognizes no obligation to collect tolls and permits only fees for maritime services. But he said Washington would reject high tolls or large fees that would clearly conflict with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He said the issue extends beyond the Strait of Hormuz because such an arrangement could become a precedent for other key waterways worldwide. Pusztai also characterized differing messages from US President Donald Trump as part of an American information war against Iran. Reopening the strait would be important, he said, but would not resolve the broader conflict.