Iran says Strait of Hormuz deal with Oman 'close to being finalized'

-Iran and Oman 'on the verge of finalizing' deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. READ MORE 

-Qatar says mediators are making progress in efforts to end the US-Iran war. 

-Two Israeli soldiers killed in Lebanon as peace talks continue in Rome READ MORE 

-The US Army has used up much of its global stockpile of highly accurate long-range missiles during its five-month war with Iran, say unnamed sources.

-More than 800,000 people displaced by war in Lebanon have begun returning to their hometowns following a lull in violence amid the Israel-Hezbollah war, the United Nations has said.

-Israeli forces arrest 60 Palestinians amid refugee camp raids/

Iran has said it is in the "final stage" of negotiations with Oman over a possible agreement on the Strait of Hormuz, raising hopes that the key shipping route could be reopened and tensions from the ongoing conflict could ease.

US President Donald Trump has also said a deal could be announced this week. However, significant disagreements reportedly remain over the terms of any agreement. Iran is expected to seek the lifting of the US blockade on its ports as part of a deal, while Washington has previously rejected any arrangement that would allow Tehran to establish control over the strategic waterway.

The Trump administration has warned that any agreement that strengthens Iran's control would represent a major setback for the United States and a challenge to longstanding international norms.

Iran, meanwhile, has insisted it must retain some authority over the passage, saying it will not simply return the strait to the same conditions that existed before the conflict.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world's most important energy chokepoints. Before the war, around one-fifth of global oil and natural gas shipments passed through the waterway.

Iran and Oman have maintained close diplomatic ties, with Muscat frequently acting as a mediator between Tehran and Western governments. Any agreement reached through Oman could mark a significant step towards reducing tensions, though major questions remain over enforcement, security arrangements and the future status of the waterway.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed and four others seriously wounded in an explosion in southern Lebanon, according to Israel’s military, marking the first Israeli fatalities since a fragile ceasefire with Hezbollah took effect nearly two months ago.

The Israeli army said the soldiers were killed in the village of Majdal Zoun, where an explosive device detonated as troops entered a site. A military official said the nature of the explosion was still being investigated.

The incident comes amid renewed tensions along the Israel-Lebanon border, after Israel launched strikes in southern Lebanon on Wednesday and accused Hezbollah of violating the ceasefire agreement.

The latest escalation comes as Israeli and Lebanese officials hold U.S.-mediated talks aimed at implementing a security agreement reached in June. Under the deal, Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from areas they still occupy in southern Lebanon, while the Lebanese army would expand its presence and Hezbollah would disarm.

Wednesday's talks in Rome were cut short following the escalation on the ground but were expected to resume on Thursday.