Zarif Confers With Yusuf bin Alawi in Muscat

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif held talks with his Omani counterpart during an unannounced visit to Muscat on Sunday.

Zarif met his Omani counterpart Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah during which the two sides discussed bilateral and regional issues.

Tasnim News Agency said the trip was in line with two-way political contacts “within the framework of regular consultations” between Iran and Sultanate of Oman.

No details were available on the issues discussed during the meeting.

Zarif’s visit comes as he was to join the high-ranking delegation accompanying President Hassan Rouhani during his Monday trips to Bern and Vienna.

Iran and Oman enjoy cordial diplomatic and economic ties dating back  decades ago. Both neighbors are members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Group of 77.

The Arab country is usually known as a mediator, particularly between Tehran and the West.

In addition, Sultan Qaboos of Oman played an important role in facilitating the early stages of nuclear talks between Iran and six world powers, which led to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2015.