Iran, Oman agree on shipping route map in Hormuz Strait

Iran and Oman have reached agreement on a shipping route map in the Strait of Hormuz after technical talks over several weeks. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said intensive discussions had been under way for about three months since a memorandum of understanding was signed on June 18 to establish a safe shipping lane in the strategic strait. He said the agreement came after progress over the past three weeks. However, Teheran and Muscat are still discussing a number of unresolved issues, including a joint statement. Baghaei also said the full restoration of security and normalization of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz still depends on the halt of what Iran considers illegal U.S. actions and on Washington meeting its obligations under the memorandum of understanding.