On March 12, President Hassan Rouhani arrived in Oman for his first official visit to an Arab country since his August inauguration. The primary aim of the two-day trip was to expand economic ties between the two countries and ease tensions with other Gulf states. “Iran extends a hand of friendship and brotherhood to all regional countries, particularly its neighbors in the southern part of the Persian Gulf,” Rouhani told Iranian and Omani businessman in Muscat on March 13. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh and several other high ranking officials accompanied the president.
During Rouhani’s visit, Iran signed an agreement to export $10 billion cubic meters of gas per year to Oman and eventually build a $1 billion pipeline across the Gulf. In August, the two countries signed a memorandum of understanding for Iran to sell gas to Oman for 25 years starting in 2015— a deal valued at $60 billion. President Rouhani told Sultan Qaboos bin Said (right) that the exemplary ties between their two countries can serve as a model for the region. In another meeting, Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi emphasized that both countries are “convinced that the top priority is achieving real stability in the region.” Oman, unlike other Gulf sheikhdoms, has good relations with the Islamic Republic. Their cooperative relationship actually predates Iran’s 1979 revolution. The Shah of Iran provided troops to help Sultan Qaboos bin Said end a leftist revolt in 1973.
But Oman is more than just a gas buyer and regional ally for Iran. The sultanate is also a key intermediary between Washington and Tehran. Over the past three years, Muscat has reportedly mediated on three occasions:
• September 2011: Muscat paid a $1 million bond to Tehran for the release of two American hikers arrested by Iranian authorities in 2009 who were sentenced to eight years imprisonment for spying.
• April 2013: Oman worked with the United States to speed up the release of Iranian scientist Mojtaba Atarobi. The electrical engineering professor had been detained for more than a year in California for allegedly violating U.S. sanctions.
• August 2013: President Barack Obama reportedly sent a letter to President Rouhani through Sultan Qaboos, who visited Tehran shortly after Rouhani’s inauguration. The exact contents of the letter and Rouhani’s reply are unknown but Obama’s remarks hinted that they discussed the nuclear dispute and Syria.
The following is a joint statement released by Iran and Oman with excerpted remarks by Rouhani.
Iran-Oman Joint Statement
Within the framework of deepening and cementing the existing friendship and cooperation relations between the Sultanate of Oman and the Islamic Republic of Iran, and in response to the generous invitation by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran paid an official visit to the Sultanate of Oman heading a high level delegation during the period from March 12th to 13th. 2014.
His Majesty the Sultan gave an official welcome ceremony in the honour of the guest and his accompanying delegation in the presence of a number of their highness, the minsters and senior officials from both sides. The reception reflected the brotherly feeling and the deep-rooted relations.
Amidst an atmosphere characterized by goodwill, friendship and cooperation, the two parties held an official talk session that focused on developing the bilateral relations, discussing a number of regional international and Islamic World issues of common interest. The official talks came with the following results;
1-The two sides expressed their satisfaction over the bilateral friendship relations based on confidence, mutual trust and renewed their strong will to develop these relations in all fields of common interest.
2-Considering the historic, cultural bonds and good neighbouring relations, the two sides stressed the importance of implementing the cooperating program and developing relations in all available fields that serve the interests of both countries and friendly peoples.
3-The two sides were delighted for the achieved agreement on the level of cooperation committees between the two countries in all possible fields. They stressed their keenness to hold the committees' meetings regularly to ensure developing and nurturing the bilateral cooperation relations.
4-The two parties stressed the positive and fruitful role being played by the private sector in both countries in promoting bilateral cooperation hoping that these activities would increase the value of investments, as well as commercial and economic exchange between the Sultanate and the Islamic Republic of Iran.
5-While the two sides talked on developing bilateral relations, they also touched on the regional, International and Islamic world issues. They stressed the importance of doubling the efforts and exerting more offices to ensure stability and security of the region and the world based on collective cooperation.
6-The two parties affirmed the importance of combatting all forms and types of terrorism and called for continuing cooperation and development in the region, as well as compliance with the U.N decisions related to having a world free of violence and extremism.
7-The two sides welcomed the accords reached at the negotiations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and 5+1 Group. They emphasised on the importance of continuing such talks to reach the prospective reconciliation.
At the end of the visit, Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran expressed his thanks and appreciation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said, the government and the people of the Sultanate of Oman for the warm welcome and generous hospitality.
Dr. Hassan Rouhani, President of the Islamic Republic of Iran has extended a kind invitation to His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said to visit the Islamic Republic of Iran. The invitation was welcomed by His Majesty. The date of the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.
President Rouhani's Remarks
“The sensitivity of the Strait of Hormuz waterway adds special importance to the southern littoral countries of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman.
“This visit aims to strengthen mutual relations… we seek to implement contracts in various fields of trade, economy, particularly in the oil and gas sectors as well as financial, banking and cultural issues between the two countries..”
March 12, 2014 to reporters en route to Oman
“Mutual interests require strengthening of bilateral ties, as there are numerous capacities for promoting economic cooperation. “We, as Muslim states, are duty-bound to help establish peace and security in the region and we have always underlined that peace and stability will only be established by the regional countries themselves.”
March 12, 2014 to Omani Deputy Prime Minister Fahad bin Mahmoud
“One of the key policies of the [new] administration since it began its work more than six months ago has been constructive interaction with the world and other countries. Iran extends a hand of friendship and brotherhood to all regional countries, particularly its neighbors in the southern part of the Persian Gulf.
“Relations with one country should not grow at the expense of another. We want to see the countries of the region live in peace, understanding and friendship.
“Cooperation and rapprochement would benefit the whole region.
Iran is “open to investors from the region, especially Omanis.”
March 13, 2014 in a meeting with Iranian and Omani businessmen
Photo credit: President.ir