A report said U.S. intelligence agencies recently assessed that Iran can effectively stop access through the Strait of Hormuz.
Separate published accounts said a tentative arrangement between the United States and Iran to end the conflict included steps to reopen the waterway, with details not yet made public at the time of those reports.
One account said the memorandum of understanding had not been made public and would immediately reopen the strait, while other reports said Iran would take steps to reopen it once an initial deal was signed and that an official signing was expected in Switzerland.
The Strait of Hormuz is a key route for global oil shipments, making any restriction or reopening of traffic through the passage material for energy and shipping markets.