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Oman

May 1, 2025

Muscat 7:41 am

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Oman’s sultan talks Iran-US nuclear mediation with Putin in first Russia visit

Historically neutral Oman has been mediating between the United States and Iran, as Russia seeks to strengthen its ties with the Gulf state.

Alex Wong/Getty Images

Analysis

Trump tariffs could disrupt Gulf’s IPO hot streak as markets sink

New US tariffs have roiled markets worldwide and initial public offerings should not be expected to escape unscathed.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Wright

US energy secretary to tour Gulf amid oil market pressure, Iran talks

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright is expected to meet with several Gulf leaders during his trip as the region grapples with lower oil prices after President Donald Trump imposed universal tariffs last week.

Latest News

Analysis

Despite green energy deal blitz, Middle Eastern climate efforts fell flat in 2024

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Analysis

Was 2024 a breakthrough year for the Middle East’s AI ambitions?

Delegates chat near a robot during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) forum at the King Abdulaziz Conference Centre in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh, on Oct. 30, 2019.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

From BRICS to dwindling oil revenues, 2024 was mixed year for Gulf

OMAR HAJ KADOUR/AFP via Getty Images

Jennifer Gnana

By Jennifer Gnana

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Analysis

Syrian rebel offensive worries Gulf states as they rally around Assad

[2/7]Syria's President Bashar al-Assad meets with President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates March 19, 2023. Abdulla Al Neyadi/UAE Presidential Court/WAM

Giorgio Cafiero

By Giorgio Cafiero

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi attends the Dialogue of Emerging Market and Developing Countries in Xiamen in southeastern China’s Fujian Province, Sept. 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mark Schiefelbein/Pool - RC171B1A3CC0

What’s behind Sisi’s recent trip to Oman?

While Abdel Fattah al-Sisi is calling on Tehran and Riyadh to cool their tensions, Egypt is strengthening its ties to Oman, which has become a stable and trustworthy ally.

Saudi, UAE involvement in eastern Yemen unsettles Oman

Reports that Saudi Arabia is planning to militarize its presence in Yemen’s easternmost governorate have raised security concerns in neighboring Oman.

Iran's Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh talks to journalists at the beginning of an OPEC meeting in Vienna, Austria, November 30, 2017. REUTERS/Heinz-Peter Bader - RC18ECEC9B80

Iranian oil minister moves to forge new regional partnerships

At the recent OPEC meeting, Iran moved to protect its oil production and forge new regional partnerships.

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.

Egypt flexes its mediation muscle in Lebanon crisis

During an emergency meeting in Cairo, the Arab League condemned Iran’s meddling in Arab affairs.

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's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi waves as he arrives to attend a meeting of Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia March 30, 2017. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser - RTX33EVF

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.

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson testifies before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S., June 13, 2017. REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein - RTS16WM2

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.

MEYMEH, IRAN - JUNE 03: Farmer Abbas Hamamian works his wheat field on June 3, 2014 in Meymeh, Iran. He said he has owned the 4-hectare farm for 15 years, and this year's rains have been good for his crop. Iran is marking the 25th anniversary of the death of the Ayatollah Khomeini and his legacy of the Islamic Revolution. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

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.

U.S. President Donald Trump (4-L) speaks with Oman's Deputy Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud Al-Said (3-L) during a family photo with Gulf Cooperation Council leaders at their summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia May 21, 2017. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst - RTX36TI7

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's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir (R) and Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani attend a news conference after an extraordinary meeting of the foreign ministers of GCC, in Riyadh January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al Nasser - RTX21N8K

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.

Women hold a banner as they take part in a protest marking the International Women's Day outside the United Nations offices in Sanaa, Yemen March 8, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah - RTS11XSB

Yemen war turns two

Saudi Arabia and the United States need to put more thought into the endgame for the war in Yemen.