Iran-Oman Hormuz route talks near 'completion': What to know

Iran said Sunday it is close to reaching an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, as both countries seek to revive maritime traffic by jointly managing the strategic waterway after months of disruption.

What happened: According to Iran’s state-run IRNA news agency, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi briefed the cabinet on negotiations between Tehran and Muscat to establish a new route through the strategic waterway, which has been largely closed to commercial shipping since the US-Israel-Iran war began on Feb. 28.

Araghchi said the negotiations were “nearing completion,” without providing further details.

Separately, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the bilateral talks — which notably do not involve the US or any other parties — had been underway “for a long time.” He said Tehran and Muscat were close to reaching an agreement on a new maritime route through the Strait of Hormuz, separate from the three existing corridors.