Expansion of Tehran-Muscat Ties Will Benefit Both States

Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei highlighted the longstanding and deep-rooted relations between Tehran and Muscat, saying the enhancement of ties would benefit both states. 
“Increasing the level of Iran-Oman cooperation is of great importance as the two countries have shared interests in the key waterway of the Strait of Hormuz,” he said in a meeting with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said of Oman on Monday, Leader.ir reported.
The Omani Sultan arrived in Tehran on Sunday at the head of a high-ranking delegation for talks on ways to improve mutual relations, as well as regional and international issues. 
The delegations held a session following the bilateral meeting of top officials on the same day, where four memorandums of understanding were signed in the economic, investment, free zones and energy sectors. 
The Leader pointed to the top-level negotiations between the two sides, calling for serious follow-up plans for tangible results. 
He later warned against the presence of Israel in the region, noting that the policy of the regime and its supporters is that of creating dispute and disrupting peace in the region. 
“Therefore, all countries of the region need to pay due attention to this matter,” he said. 
Sultan Haitham, who had paid a visit to Egypt prior to his trip to Iran, conveyed Cairo’s interest in resuming relations with Iran. 
Ayatollah Khamenei said Iran welcomes the idea and has no issue in this regard. 
Iran has also recently restored its diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia after seven years of estrangement, which the Omani top official applauded during the meeting. 
“This is the outcome of the good policy of [President Ebrahim] Raisi’s administration for strengthening ties with neighboring and regional states,” the Leader said. 
Ayatollah Khamenei finally expressed hope that with the improvement of relations between administrations, the Islamic community will retain its glory and the collection of Muslim states’ capacities would serve the interests of all their nations and governments. 
Sultan Haitham also underlined Muscat’s policy of increasing relations with neighbors, especially with Iran, saying different areas of cooperation were discussed during the negotiations in Tehran. 
“We hope that with the persistence of such dialogue, the two countries’ relations will further improve and both sides sense its practical results,” he said. 

Suitable Capacities 

In a bilateral meeting with the Sultan a day earlier, Raisi said the two countries’ common views and emphasis on regional collaboration, along with suitable mutual capacities, can contribute to the expansion of relations at bilateral and regional levels. 
He hailed the fact that relations between Iran and Oman have improved from the level of trade to the level of investment, calling for the finalization of a fund to support the development of joint investments. 
Sultan Haitham said although the level of trade exchanges has doubled since Raisi’s last year visit to Muscat, this is still far from the desirable level, given the proper potential of both countries. 
During the subsequent meeting of the delegations, leaders of the two countries discussed ways to upgrade mutual relations on the basis of brotherliness and common interests, according to a joint statement by their top officials. 
They also stressed the need for the formation of joint commissions and working groups to pursue the development of ties and highlighted the constructive role of private sectors in boosting economic cooperation, the document read. 
The leaders also instructed their state officials to take the required measures for the preparation and signing of a document on strategic cooperation in various sectors, in a way that serves mutual interests. 
They emphasized the importance of efforts for the promotion of peace and stability, and agreed to continue political consultations on the matter. 
“Both sides welcome the promotion of dialogue in the region for addressing problems and strengthening neighborly relations so as to ensure peace, stability and prosperity of regional nations,” the statement said. 
Raisi appreciated Oman’s wise and helpful policies for the purpose of deepening positive bilateral relations and guaranteeing peace and stability in the region. 
Sultan Haitham praised the Raisi administration’s neighbor-oriented policy, saying close cooperation of Persian Gulf states will consolidate regional peace and stability. 
The Omani sultan ended his two-day visit and left Tehran for Muscat on Monday afternoon.