Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi met his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi in Tehran on Tuesday to discuss a framework for managing ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. (Pics/AFP)

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, remains one of the world's most strategically important maritime routes. A significant share of global crude oil and natural gas exports passes through the strait, making any disruption a major concern for international energy markets. (Pics/AFP)