Omani Foreign Minister Discusses Regional Developments and Temporary Arrangements for Freedom of Navigation in Hormuz with His Saudi and Iranian Counterparts

Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi and his Saudi counterpart, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, emphasized yesterday the importance of continuing joint efforts across various fields to serve mutual interests and strengthen the trajectory of collective Gulf cooperation.

The Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated in a press release that this came during a meeting held between the two ministers while they were participating in the joint ministerial meeting between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and the United States, held in the Bahraini capital, Manama.

The ministry added that consultations and exchanges of views took place during the meeting on a number of regional issues and developments, as well as on certain bilateral matters within the framework of existing cooperation under the Oman-Saudi Coordination Initiative. It noted that both sides reaffirmed the strength of the deep-rooted fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries and the importance of continuing joint work in various fields.

Al Busaidi also discussed with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi, yesterday, the temporary arrangements regarding freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, in line with international law rules and respect for state sovereignty.

The Omani Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement that this came during a phone call between the two sides, which covered follow-up on the results of the recent visit by Iranian Assembly of Experts Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to the Sultanate of Oman, and understanding regarding the mechanism for joint cooperation toward achieving the objectives of the US-Iran memorandum of understanding concerning freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

It added that the two ministers expressed their satisfaction with the Iranian delegation’s visit to Muscat, which featured “constructive” talks, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing consultations and following up on issues of common interest through diplomatic channels to enhance ongoing cooperation between the two countries.