Updated

Oman's Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi was set to visit Tehran to continue talks with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, as the two states, described as littoral partners, sought to bolster peace and cooperation in the waterway. The visit comes amid continued instability in Hormuz shipping traffic following the recent Iran-US conflict. In a sign of escalating tensions in the strait, Iran announced it has blacklisted 45 tankers for allegedly violating its transit rules, warning it would take action against future transits and any vessels transferring loads with them. The move came just ahead of Washington's expected announcement of new measures to further isolate Iran's economy, with Tehran's foreign ministry also warning of 'consequences' for countries that join the US sanctions campaign.