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Oman

November 13, 2026

Muscat 12:49 pm

27°C

Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said (L) meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a historic visit to Beijing, China, Nov. 2, 2026.

Oman’s sultan concludes historic China visit amid US tensions: What to know

The visit, the first by an Omani head of state since 1978, comes as Oman is reportedly considering purchasing Chinese- and Pakistani-made JF-17 fighter jets as part of efforts to diversify its international partnerships amid growing regional tensions.

A motorcyclist rides past a Pakistani JF-17 fighter jet model displayed along a road in Karachi on August 13, 2025, on the eve of the country's independence day celebrations. (Photo by Asif HASSAN / AFP) (Photo by ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

What Oman's potential JF-17 fighter jet deal means for China and Pakistan

Muscat’s reported interest in the JF-17 tests whether diversifying defense suppliers can deliver additional capability without disproportionate costs or ally opposition.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Latest News

Explainer

IMF projects Gulf rebound in 2027. Can energy production keep pace?

TOPSHOT - Smoke rises from the direction of an energy installation in the Gulf emirate of Fujairah on March 14, 2026. Smoke could be seen rising from the direction of a major UAE energy installation on March 14, in what appeared to be the latest strike targeting the Gulf's petroleum facilities hours after the US struck Iran's Kharg Island. (Photo by AFP via Getty Images) /

Mossad, Shin Bet in UAE: What we know about Israel’s FlyDubai probe

Passengers board a flydubai flight, bound for Dubai, before taking off from Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv, on Sept. 30, 2026.

Trump says Hormuz mine-free as Iran, Oman agree to clear them

US President Donald Trump arrives at Myrtle Beach International Airport on Aug. 21, 2026, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

Samuel Wendel

Senior Analyst, Middle East Business & Tech

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

Saudi Arabia moving ahead with Gulf union

Opposition from Oman will not deter Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud from seeking strength in GCC unity.

Oman's Interior Minister Saud bin Ibrahim al-Busaidi attends the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Interior Ministers' Conference in Manama November 28, 2013. REUTERS/Stringer (BAHRAIN - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15WB1

Omani rejection of GCC union adds insult to injury for Saudi Arabia

The Omani stance may force the kingdom to pause in its regional policies.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif (4th L) attends a meeting for the 2nd Joint High Committee in Kuwait City on December 1, 2013. REUTERS/Stephanie McGehee (KUWAIT - Tags: POLITICS) - RTX15ZK7

Iran nuclear deal may be start of new era in Persian Gulf

The Iran nuclear deal could be a breakthrough on regional ties.

sultan piece.jpg

Correcting misconceptions of the Gulf’s modern art movement

Contrary to what some may believe, a vibrant indigenous visual arts tradition does exist in the Gulf.

United Arab Emirates

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani (L) and Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said (C-R) review the honour guard during the latter's welcoming ceremony at Tehran's Saadabad Palace on August 25, 2013. The Iranian authorities have announced that Sultan Qaboos of Oman, the only Gulf leader to maintain good relations with Tehran, arrived in Iran for a focus on economic issues and diplomacy visit. AFP PHOTO/BEHROUZ MEHRI (Photo credit should read BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

Sultan Qaboos, UN's Feltman Test Diplomacy with Iran

Sultan Qaboos of Oman and UN Under Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman create diplomatic flurry in Tehran.

Protesters hold signs reading "Stop killing people in Sohar" and "Release our fathers, brothers, and sons" during a protest in front of the Public Prosecution building in Muscat April 2, 2011. Protests in Oman, which pumps out 800,000 barrels of oil a day, have focused on demands for better wages, jobs and an end to corruption. Many protesters have demanded that the government be held accountable for the detention of hundreds of demonstrators in Sohar. REUTERS/Said Al Bahri (OMAN- Tags: CIVIL UNREST POLITIC

Oman Curbs Corruption To Quell Dissent

Oman is actively tackling corruption in response to the 2011 Omani Spring, Ahmed Ali M. al-Mukhaini writes.