Mr. Rouhani who was speaking to King Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman on Wednesday when leaving for Kuwait, said that both countries had a strong political resolve to improve ties; Oman has been an important mediator in regional and international issues for Iran; in 2012, Yusuf bin Alawi, came to Iran to convey Obama’s message who proposed that Iran and the US sit and directly negotiate terms of nuclear deal. In other occasions, the country’s moderate policies distanced Oman from its immediate neighbors in the Persian Gulf and made close to Iran.
President Rouhani believed that Iran and Oman have had close brotherly ties through the history and in modern times, good offices by the King Qaboos had been effective in perpetuating cordial relations. “Nuclear deal, on which Oman played a great role in initiation of the talks, had been to the interest of both countries and the world as well; we believe during post-JCPOA era, conditions have improved for better economic ties and trade with all countries including Oman, which could contribute to Iran’s economic projects and share projects in energy in the Persian Gulf,” Rouhani told the meeting with Qaboos.
“Historically, Iranians and Omani leaders have been guardians of the Strait of Hormuz as a secure bottleneck for global trade; now the Strait is strategic energy route where Iran and Oman best handle the region; Iran’s military merely provides defensive prospects for the neighbors, since we support diplomatic methods and negotiation to settle the differences with neighbors,” Rouhani added.
About Yemen, Rouhani called on all countries to help the situation in Yemen where the country had been subject to air strikes by Saudi Arabia; “as Muslims, we should seriously address the plights of the people in Yemen and alleviate part of their sufferings,” he asserted.
Sultan Qaboos, for his part, shared with Rouhani the view that both countries should restore relations to the ideal position; he hailed Tehran’s efforts to build constructive relations with its neighbors and believed relations with Iran would contribute to regional peace and security.
SH/3908374