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Oman

December 5, 2025

Muscat 6:33 pm

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UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves, right, and Qatari Finance Minister Ali bin Ahmed al-Kuwari arrive at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Oct. 28, 2025.

Analysis

UK chases elusive GCC trade deal that could boost exports, economic links

A new charm offensive at Saudi Arabia's flagship investment conference has fueled optimism that a UK-GCC trade pact, under negotiation since 2022, could soon be completed.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

A Eurofighter Typhoon of the German Air Force (31 26) in flight during a demonstration as part of a press day at the military air base in Laage, south of Rostock, Sept. 23, 2025.

Analysis

How Gulf states are powering Turkey’s Eurofighter ambitions

After years of political deadlock over the sale of Eurofighters to Turkey, Ankara appears to be nearing success with pending deals for new and secondhand versions of the aircraft.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

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

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan arrives in Oman’s capital, Muscat, to pay an official visit at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said of Oman on Oct. 22, 2025.

Analysis

Turkey strengthens defense, energy ties following Erdogan’s Gulf tour

The Turkish president’s Gulf tour saw the signing of over a dozen agreements to strengthen military ties, diversify energy sources and expand economic partnerships amid regional instability.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

Turkey, Qatar sign defense deal as Ankara eyes Doha’s Eurofighters

The Turkish president’s visit to Qatar during his Gulf tour largely centered on defense ties and Qatar’s little-used Eurofighters, as Ankara moves to quickly rebuild its air power.

Latest News

Erdogan heads to Gulf as Turkey looks to ease energy dependence on Russia

SAFIN HAMID/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

As Carrefour retreats in Mideast, can new Gulf superstore brand advance?

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Hong Kong inks agreements with Gulf partners at BRI Summit

Guests attend a policy dialogue on Embracing Emerging Opportunities in times of Economic Uncertainty during the 10th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, China, Sept. 10, 2025.

Analysis

Gulf rail boom rumbles on as 2030 deadline for regional network nears

FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Sebastian Castelier

In Dubai, reporting on regional business

Jennifer Gnana

Gulf Correspondent

In Dubai, reporting on Gulf energy policy and politics

Kate Dourian

In Dubai, reporting on energy

Karen Young

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional energy

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.

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.

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?

Bahrain's Prime Minister Prince Khalifa Bin Salman al-Khalifa attends a meeting during the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) summit at the Foreign Ministry in Bangkok, Thailand, October 10, 2016. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha - RTSRK1T

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.

Houthi followers watch as their leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi delivers a speech during a rally commemorating the death of Imam Zaid bin Ali in Sanaa, Yemen October 26, 2016. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah - RTX2QLC8

Is Yemen headed for partition?

An open-ended cease-fire is needed for Yemen, but a de facto partition of the country is more likely.

Oman's Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah looks at his mobile phone at the foreign ministers of the Arab League meeting ahead of the Arab Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, in the South Sinai governorate March 26, 2015. The Arab League on Thursday pledged full support for the Saudi-led campaign against Shi'ite Houthi fighters in Yemen. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh - RTR4UZLE

Just how neutral is Oman in Yemen war?

Oman has claimed neutrality in the war in Yemen, but Saudi and coalition forces say the sultanate is smuggling weapons through its border with Yemen to Iran-backed Houthis.

United States Secretary of State John Kerry (R) shakes hands with Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah of Oman as they pose for photos at the Palace Hotel in New York, October 2, 2015. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith - RTS2SXQ

Lobbying 2016: Oman thrives as the US’ backchannel to Iran

Oman's Sultan Qaboos bin Said (R) walks with Iran's President Hassan Rouhani upon Rouhani's arrival in Muscat March 12, 2014. REUTERS/Sultan Al Hasani (OMAN - Tags: POLITICS ROYALS) - RTR3GQAH

Oman and Iran: friends with many benefits

Oman is willing to brave the GCC's disapproval to take advantage of opportunities with and for Iran.

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Kuwait's Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah al Khalid al Sabah, Qatar's Foreign Minister Khaled al-Attiyah, Oman's Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, Bahrain's Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa and UAE'S Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L-R) pose for a group photo during an extraordinary meeting in Riyadh January 9, 2016. REUTERS/Faisal Al N

How united is the GCC?

While Gulf states may all be united under the Gulf Cooperation Council name, their individual policies on foreign intervention vary greatly.

How far will the Saudis go against Hezbollah?

With Saudi Arabia labeling Hezbollah a terrorist organization, a decision that was endorsed by the GCC, the kingdom hopes to legally pursue the Lebanese movement in international forums.