18 mins ago – 12.41AMBloombergThe wait for an Iran-Oman deal that partially reopens the Strait of Hormuz continued through Thursday, after the Islamic Republic said an agreement on proposed shipping lanes is in the final stages.The two countries that border the crucial waterway have been negotiating a plan for the management of maritime traffic through the strait since last month. In recent days, Iran and the US have indicated a resolution is close.“An understanding in principle has been reached on almost all the raised issues, including the map for maritime traffic entry and exit routes,” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi told the Islamic Republic News Agency on Wednesday. The arrangement may remain valid for “two to four months,” he added.Yet, he cautioned a bilateral deal with Muscat “does not mean the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.” Tehran has insisted the US is not part of the agreement with Oman and hinted that a normalisation of the strait will depend on Washington lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.