Skip to main content

Sultan of Oman to make first visit to Iran amid regional thaw

The visit comes amid Iran’s rapprochement with Saudi Arabia, and Oman's mediation between Egypt and Tehran.
Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) welcomes his Omani counterpart Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi in Tehran on November 19, 2022. (Photo by ATTA KENARE / AFP) (Photo by ATTA KENARE/AFP via Getty Images)

The Sultan of Oman, Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, will travel to Iran on Sunday, his first visit to Tehran since coming to power in 2020, Omani state media reported.

The sultan will stay in Iran for two days upon the invitation of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi. His delegation will include Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, along with other defense, investment and royal officials, the official Oman News Agency reported.

"The visit will also touch on means of promoting cooperation between Oman and Iran in different spheres," the report said.

Why it matters: Oman has maintained the role of mediator between Iran and Gulf states. Just this week, Sultan Haitham visited Egypt in likely mediation between Cairo and Tehran as they attempt to normalize relations.  

Last month, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian visited Muscat.

Sultan Haitham’s visit comes amid Iran’s improving relations with Oman’s neighbor Saudi Arabia, and a thaw between Arab states and Iran's ally in Syria Bashar al-Assad. 

In March, Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to resume relations in a China-brokered deal, ending years of hostility between the two. On Tuesday, Iran named a new ambassador to Saudi Arabia. While the deal was culminated in China, both Oman and Iraq helped in the secret talks leading up to it.

Oman has been linked recently to efforts to negotiate the release of Iranian-Americans imprisoned in Iran. 

In May of last year, Raisi visited Muscat. Iran and Oman signed oil and trade agreements during the visit.

Sultan Haitham ascended to the throne in early 2020, and made his first foreign trip to Saudi Arabia in 2021. Last May Raisi visited Muscat, and the two countries signed oil and trade agreements during the visit.

Know more: In April, Iranian forces seized an oil tanker in the Gulf of Oman. The seizure may have been a response to US seizures of Iranian oil, Al-Monitor’s Pentagon correspondent Jared Szuba reported at the time.

Join hundreds of Middle East professionals with Al-Monitor PRO.

Business and policy professionals use PRO to monitor the regional economy and improve their reports, memos and presentations. Try it for free and cancel anytime.

Already a Member? Sign in

Free

The Middle East's Best Newsletters

Join over 50,000 readers who access our journalists dedicated newsletters, covering the top political, security, business and tech issues across the region each week.
Delivered straight to your inbox.

Free

What's included:
Our Expertise

Free newsletters available:

  • The Takeaway & Week in Review
  • Middle East Minute (AM)
  • Daily Briefing (PM)
  • Business & Tech Briefing
  • Security Briefing
  • Gulf Briefing
  • Israel Briefing
  • Palestine Briefing
  • Turkey Briefing
  • Iraq Briefing
Expert

Premium Membership

Join the Middle East's most notable experts for premium memos, trend reports, live video Q&A, and intimate in-person events, each detailing exclusive insights on business and geopolitical trends shaping the region.

$25.00 / month
billed annually

Become Member Start with 1-week free trial
What's included:
Our Expertise AI-driven

Memos - premium analytical writing: actionable insights on markets and geopolitics.

Live Video Q&A - Hear from our top journalists and regional experts.

Special Events - Intimate in-person events with business & political VIPs.

Trend Reports - Deep dive analysis on market updates.

All premium Industry Newsletters - Monitor the Middle East's most important industries. Prioritize your target industries for weekly review:

  • Capital Markets & Private Equity
  • Venture Capital & Startups
  • Green Energy
  • Supply Chain
  • Sustainable Development
  • Leading Edge Technology
  • Oil & Gas
  • Real Estate & Construction
  • Banking

We also offer team plans. Please send an email to pro.support@al-monitor.com and we'll onboard your team.

Already a Member? Sign in

Gulf Briefing Gulf Briefing

Gulf Briefing

Top GCC stories in your inbox each week

Trend Reports

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (4th R) attends a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 22, 2019. (Photo by HOW HWEE YOUNG / POOL / AFP) (Photo credit should read HOW HWEE YOUNG/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

From roads to routers: The future of China-Middle East connectivity

A general view shows the solar plant in Uyayna, north of Riyadh, on March 29, 2018. - On March 27, Saudi announced a deal with Japan's SoftBank to build the world's biggest solar plant. (Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE / AFP) (Photo credit should read FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)
Premium

Regulations on Middle East renewable energy industry starting to take shape

Start your PRO membership today.

Join the Middle East's top business and policy professionals to access exclusive PRO insights today.

Join Al-Monitor PRO Start with 1-week free trial