MUSCAT, Aug. 21 (Xinhua) -- Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and his Iranian counterpart Seyed Abbas Araghchi discussed efforts to restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz during a phone call on Friday, according to Oman's Foreign Ministry.
The two ministers discussed developments concerning navigation through the strategic waterway and stressed the need to continue talks toward practical understandings that would facilitate the resumption and smooth flow of navigation while supporting regional security and stability, the ministry said.
They also reviewed the latest regional developments and efforts to create conditions for resuming dialogue and negotiations aimed at narrowing differences and reaching peaceful solutions to outstanding issues.
Iran and Oman have been holding talks in recent months over navigation arrangements through the Strait of Hormuz. On Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the two countries had agreed on the map of a new route for maritime traffic through the strait and were expected to finalize an agreement in the form of a package comprising the map and a joint statement. ■
