Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani has arrived in Muscat on an official two-day visit to hold talks with senior Omani officials.
Heading a high-ranking politico-economic delegation, the Iranian president was welcomed by Omani Prime Minister Fahd bin Mahmoud al Said and Foreign Minister Youssef bin Alawi bin Abdullah upon his arrival on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters ahead of his departure, Rouhani said the Islamic Republic attaches great significance to relations with Muslim countries, particularly its neighboring states.
“The sensitivity of the Strait of Hormuz waterway adds special importance to the southern littoral countries of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman,” Rouhani added.
He noted that Iran has always maintained good relations with Oman and the current Iranian administration took steps towards further consolidating mutual ties.
The Iranian president said that his visit to Muscat is taking place in response to an earlier trip by Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said to Tehran.
The Omani Sultan Qaboos paid an official visit to Iran in late August 2013 as the first head of state to visit Tehran after President Rouhani was inaugurated in a ceremony on August 4.
“This visit aims to strengthen mutual relations,” Rouhani stated.
He noted that Tehran and Muscat signed agreements during the Omani Sultan’s visit to Iran, adding, “In this trip, we seek to implement contracts in various fields of trade, economy, particularly in the oil and gas sectors as well as financial, banking and cultural issues between the two countries.”
Rouhani said regional issues and international cooperation are also on the agenda of his talks with senior Omani officials.
Iran and Oman, which share control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, maintain cordial relations.