TALKS between Oman and Iran on the future of shipping in the Strait of Hormuz are now "at a critical point", Qatar's foreign ministry spokesperson said in a briefing on Tuesday (August 11).
Majed al-Ansari added that Qatar has heard positive feedback from both countries.
Iran said on Monday (August 10) it was nearing a final pact with Oman defining new shipping lanes between them through the Strait of Hormuz but repeated that the U.S. must meet conditions, including compensation and an end to sanctions and military threats before the key waterway is reopened.
The strait, through which about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flowed prior to the conflict, has been effectively blocked since the war began, pushing up oil prices and inflation.
