Oman foreign minister to visit Iran for Hormuz talks

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi will travel to Iran on Aug. 25 for talks that include the Strait of Hormuz, Iran's foreign ministry said.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said al-Busaidi would hold political consultations with Iran as both countries border the strait, and would meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss bilateral and regional issues.

Iran has exerted control over Hormuz, a key route for oil and gas shipping, since the Middle East war began on Feb. 28. It requires ships to get permission and pay transit fees before using the waterway.

The United States wants the strait to return to its pre-war system of free navigation. US President Donald Trump has claimed Washington “has total control” over Hormuz, through which around one fifth of the world's oil and LNG exports passed before the war.

Iran and Oman have been in talks on a new route through the strait, but a deal has not been finalised. Tehran says even a deal would not by itself reopen the waterway unless the United States meets wider Iranian demands, including lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.