Updated

Iran's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Tehran and Oman have agreed the geographical coordinates of a shipping route through the Strait of Hormuz, with a spokesman describing the arrangement as being "in the final stages". No further operational details were released, and the announcement came amid wider diplomatic manoeuvring over the waterway, through which a large share of the world's seaborne oil passes. Subsequent reporting laid out the positions of each side, indicating a deal on the strait is considered "close" but that significant gaps remain. US officials were quoted as saying they would not accept any arrangement that leaves Iran in effective control of the waterway, a stance that cuts against Tehran's framing of a bilaterally agreed corridor with Oman. The dispute over who would police or guarantee passage remains the central sticking point, and no final terms have been published by any party.