Iran says it is close to deal with Oman on new Strait of Hormuz shipping route

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Sunday that Tehran is close to reaching an agreement with Oman on a new shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz. He described it as neither a "northern nor southern" route and acceptable to both parties. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints.