Caught in the middle, Oman shrugs off Trump's latest Iran threat For the second time in months, President Donald Trump has threatened to strike the US partner as it holds talks with Iran. Oman
Newsletter: Gulf Gulf chokepoints bring Japan closer to Saudi Arabia, Oman Japan's top diplomat is in the Gulf this week, but the agenda says as much about Saudi Arabia and Oman as it does about Tokyo. By Francesco Schiavi In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance
Sultan of Oman meets UAE's MBZ as Iran-Hormuz talks advance The talks come as Oman is in the midst of negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Oman
Iran says understanding reached with Oman over new Hormuz route map Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran on Monday that “an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route.” Iran
The UAE's 'alternative GCC' With no solution to the Qatar-GCC crisis in sight, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia have formed their own alliance to support their regional foreign policy. Saudi Arabia
Egypt flexes its mediation muscle in Lebanon crisis During an emergency meeting in Cairo, the Arab League condemned Iran’s meddling in Arab affairs. Saudi Arabia
Russia, Oman size each other up as potential Mideast allies Despite a challenging history, Russia finds common ground with Oman, which sometimes seems the "odd man out" in the Gulf. Oman
Trump administration looks to Oman for help navigating Middle East US officials, while wary about Oman's ties with Iran, seek Oman's assistance in resolving Qatar dispute. Legacy: Gulf
Tillerson calls on Saudi bloc to lift blockade on Qatar The US secretary of state, after meeting Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi today in Washington, called for the lifting of the blockade on Qatar as a sign of good faith. Legacy: Gulf
Rouhani leads Iran’s return to wheat exports After years of imports, Iran has once again regained its self-sufficiency in wheat production under the Hassan Rouhani administration. Oman
In wake of Trump visit, Saudi-led Sunni bloc already splintering Less than two weeks after Trump's summit in Saudi Arabia, "Arab NATO" is showing signs of division due to fears of widening the regional political divide and doubts over Washington's reliability. Saudi Arabia
Why region should prepare for long Saudi-Iranian confrontation Despite the efforts of smaller players such as Kuwait and Oman to defuse tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, there is little on the horizon suggesting an end to Riyadh’s determination to directly confront Tehran. Legacy: Gulf
Yemen war turns two Saudi Arabia and the United States need to put more thought into the endgame for the war in Yemen. Saudi Arabia
Why did Oman join Saudi Arabia’s anti-terrorism alliance? Oman joins the 40-member Islamic Military Alliance to Fight Terrorism, yet still strikes a balance while refusing to distance itself from Iran in order to please Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia
Will Egypt accept Iran’s offer to supply oil? Iran has found an opportunity to meet Egypt’s local market needs for petroleum products, but will Egypt seize this opportunity at the expense of its ties with the Gulf countries? Legacy: Gulf
Who in the GCC wants a union? Gulf Cooperation Council states consider transforming into a union to arm themselves against Iran’s increasing dominance and the growing instability in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia
