IRAN CONFIRMS REGIONAL TALKS ON HORMUZ SHIPPING Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed a regional meeting will be held in Oman on Monday, involving Iran, Iraq and other Gulf states to discuss security and commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran says the meeting will review Iran-Oman plans for temporary safe shipping routes, while warning that Hormuz security cannot be guaranteed as long as what it describes as U.S. military and economic pressure continues.(*Walter Bloomberg)