Promoting bilateral ties and holding consecutive talks between the two countries with the aim of exchanging views on the recent developments in the region have been cited as the main aim behind the visit.

IRAN NEWS POLITICAL DESK

This is the second time in the past two months that the Oman minister is visiting Iran.

Previously in May, bin Alawi and Zarif held talks on the bilateral ties, regional and international issues in Tehran.

Zarif in a message referred to his Saturday meeting with his Omani counterpart, saying regional issues and the U.S. economic terrorism were discussed.

“Very pleased to host my distinguished friend Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman’s FM, in Tehran, Zarif wrote on his Twitter account.

He added: “Discussed effects of the U.S.’ #EconomicTerrorism on Iran; bilateral relations, regional developments & security in the Persian Gulf, the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.”

Oman is trying ‘with other parties’ to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, the Omani Foreign Ministry tweeted on May 24.

“There is a danger that a war breaks out, hurting the whole world … Both parties, the American and the Iranian, are aware of the danger,” the tweet cited the Omani minister as saying in an interview with an Arabic publication, according to Reuters.

Oman maintains friendly ties with both the U.S. and Iran and has previously been a go-between for the two countries, which severed diplomatic relations after the 1979 Iranian revolution.

The Omani official’s visit comes as the UK announced it will send a military escort along with commercial ships to protect them during their naval passage through the waterways of the Strait of Hormuz.

“Iran is expected to give the Omani foreign minister a very warm welcome, but they’ll also be keen to demonstrate to their ally that they will continue to put on a very strong front when it comes with dealing with pressure from the U.S. and UK,” Omani official said.

Last week, in a letter to the United Nations Security Council, Britain said the tanker was approached by Iranian forces in Omani territorial waters where it was exercising its lawful right of passage, and that the action “constitutes illegal interference”.

In its statement on Sunday, the Omani foreign ministry did not comment on the ship’s position but called on Iran and Britain to use diplomacy to resolve the situation.