Oman’s foreign minister in Iran to discuss mediation role amid tensions with the West
Today, Oman’s top diplomat, Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, will visit Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Sharif in Tehran to discuss recent tensions between Iran and the West.
In the past, due to the nation’s strong diplomatic relations with both Iran and the US, Oman has functioned as a critical buffer between Iran and the West during times of conflict, such as the Yemen Civil War, as well as a diplomatic liaison during times of detente, evidenced by the initial success of the JCPOA.
It is widely believed that Oman’s motive to pursue bilateral talks with Iran today, with the desire to reach a diplomatic resolution, is attributed to the proximity of conflict to Oman itself. The back-and-forth between the US and Iran, which has recently culminated in the seizing of a British tanker, has complicated oil shipping and business in the Gulf of Oman – a waterway critical to the country’s economy.
Oman was a vital factor in establishing dialogue that ultimately led to the JCPOA. With the deal falling apart exponentially, Oman has expressed concern over Iranian nuclear buildup and is expected to present a diplomatic alternative that fulfills the interests of both the US and Iran.
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