New Delhi, Aug. 8 -- Iran said a deal with Oman to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is close to being finalised, with reports suggesting that Tehran would have control over ships entering the Gulf through the strategic waterway. The two countries, which sit on opposite ends of the narrow strait, have been engaged in talks to jointly manage the key shipping route, which has been effectively closed since the start of the war in February.

Iran has insisted that the strait would not operate as it did before the conflict, when it functioned as an open international waterway carrying about a fifth of the world's oil and gas supply. Tehran is seeking greater control over the flow of maritime traffic through the channel. Several media reports suggest...