Crisis Talks in Oman as U.S. Demands Open Strait of Hormuz Pledge

Iran and Oman held crisis talks in Muscat, with Qatari mediation, to respond to the U.S. demand for a public pledge that the Strait of Hormuz remains open and to discuss a potential new shipping lane; Washington favors a southern route along the Omani coast, while Tehran wants routing closer to its control. Iran warned it could walk away from the MoU if the U.S. violates obligations, as tensions and commercial shipping disruptions continue in the strait.