Iran claims progress in Oman talks after US halts air strikes

Iran said on Sunday it had made progress in talks with Oman on management of the Strait of Hormuz, the strategic waterway crucial for oil and gas trade that both countries border.The latest talks come after the United States resumed attacks on Iran in an effort to end Tehran’s control of the strait, following a June memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war that had briefly eased tensions.Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said several rounds of negotiations were held in Iranian capital Tehran on Friday and Saturday between Iranian and Omani deputy foreign ministers.The discussions focused on “common principles and operational mechanisms” for ensuring the safe passage of shipping through the strait while respecting the sovereign rights of the two states, Baqaei said.He described the talks as “useful” and said progress had been made, adding that “technical and political consultations between the two sides were continuing”.A satellite image captured by Copernicus Sentinel-3A shows the Strait of Hormuz, which connects the Oman" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="2457" data-entity-type="location">Gulf of Oman with the Persian Gulf. Phoyo: ESA/dpaIn June, Oman and Iran said they would discuss imposing service fees, a move Washington opposes. But Muscat also said ships could transit Hormuz via its waters, angering Tehran, which responded with a pattern of escalation.