Iran Says Oman Understanding Would Close Southern Hormuz Route and Bar Warships

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said an understanding with Oman would close the southern Strait of Hormuz route and bar military vessels. In a televised interview, he said commercial ships would use a temporary route through Iranian and Omani waters while the sides hold 30 to 60 days of talks on a permanent arrangement. Gharibabadi said the framework would be notified to the International Maritime Organization and claimed Oman had accepted the southern-route closure. He said the framework would apply only to commercial traffic and linked reopening to the lifting of the economic blockade, an end to fighting on all fronts, and no further U.S. military threats or operations.