Oman reaffirms neutral role as Strait of Hormuz shipping goes dark

Oman has confirmed its continued neutral cooperation to restore freedom of navigation, as a covert transit system overseen by US and British forces has emerged in the Strait of Hormuz.

• Oman's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday the sultanate remains committed to transparent and neutral cooperation with all parties to restore freedom of navigation in the strait.
• The relative calm following a temporary US-Iran understanding over the strait collapsed, with renewed attacks on commercial ships and mutual military strikes.
• Commercial ships are crossing the strait with their automatic identification systems turned off, under security arrangements overseen by US and British forces.
• Kepler shipping company data showed all six ships that crossed the strait last Sunday had their tracking devices turned off.