Iran working to finalise Hormuz deal with Oman

Dubai, Aug 17: Iran said Monday it is working to finalise a joint statement with Oman on a plan to manage the transit of ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Fully reopening the waterway to commercial shipping has been a key demand of the United States, but it remains unclear whether the deal will meet Washington’s criteria. The announcement came as the 60-day negotiating period to find a peace deal between the US and Iran was expiring, with no word of an extension and both sides seemingly as far apart as they were two months ago. Here’s a look at the latest developments in the Iran war and the wider Middle East. Iran: close to finalising dea…