Iran-Oman share views on regional developments

Muscat: Oman and Iran’s positions on vital regional issues are “close and similar”, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi.

Salehi held talks with his Omani counterpart Yousuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Oman’s Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs, on Thursday after the latter arrived in Tehran on Wednesday.

Lebanon-based Al Mayadeen network reported on Wednesday that the “unannounced visit” by the Omani minister was intended to discuss the situation in Syria.

According to Iran’s Press TV website Salehi stressed the importance of bilateral consultations about major regional developments and described as “close and similar” the positions adopted by Tehran and Muscat on many issues.

The Press TV report says that the Iranian and Omani foreign ministers have discussed the latest regional and international developments as well as ways to boost bilateral ties. However, no details about the talks between the two foreign ministers were divulged.

The Iranian official, who visited Jordan and Syria earlier in the week, renewed the Islamic Republic’s call for an end to bloodshed and violence in Syria.

He also maintained that the solution to the crisis in Syria lies in national dialogue, and non-interference from abroad, including the renunciation of foreign support for extremists in Syria.

Salehi also condemned the recent Israeli act of aggression against Syria, saying the move sheds further light on the identity of those behind the protraction and escalation of violence in the Arab country.

He also hailed the growing economic and trade cooperation between Iran and Oman and called for greater interaction in the fields of transportation, energy and maritime.

The Omani foreign minister, for his part, pointed to the viewpoints shared by Tehran and Muscat, and called for the expansion of bilateral relations between the two countries.