Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman receives Iran's Majlis speaker over march of relations between the two countries

U.S. ambassador in Muscat lauds Oman's "balanced" policies

Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman received at Bait al-Barakah Dr. Ali Larijani, the Speaker of the Majlis (parliament) in the Iranian Islamic Republic, as the two sides reviewed good relations binding the two friendly countries and the march of bilateral cooperation in all fields.

Larijani has said that Iran’s military might is an asset for Islamic countries, noting that the United States and European countries have finally understood that military intervention can not resolve any of the problems in the Middle East.

“Past and current developments have shown that military intervention does not work in the region, and the Americans and Europeans have understood this,” he observed.

Larijani also said Islamic countries should be aware of the Zionist regime’s plots to cause discord between Muslim nations.

Although the Islamic Republic of Iran has always sought friendship and cooperation with the Arab world, some Arab states have turned a blind eye to Israel’s animosity and adopted a wrong approach toward Iran, he stated.

“(But) Oman has always played a positive role in the region and has shown that it has a deeper understanding of the issues,” Larijani said.

He went on to say that Iran and Oman are implementing many projects together and Iran is ready to finalize the gas shipment deal with Oman.

Iran’s offshore Kish gas field is expected to come on stream within the next two years and there plans to build a pipeline to Oman.

Larijani also attended a press conference after his meeting with Sultan Qaboos.

In response to a question about Iran’s missile launch pads on the Persian Gulf, the Iranian parliament speaker said that Iran’s military might is an asset for Islamic and Arab countries.

“Iran’s military might does not pose any threat to Islamic and Arab countries at all… it will defend them,” he asserted.

Larijani urged Islamic countries to foil the Zionist regime’s conspiracies through unity.

“Israel is seeking to create division between regional countries but Islamic countries with their unity should foil this conspiracy,” he said in a meeting with his Omani counterpart Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed al-Isa'ee at Majlis A'Shura in Muscat.

He said the Islamic Republic of Iran is attempting to promote unity in the region.

Larijani also said the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan proved unsuccessful and blamed Washington for a growing instability in Pakistan.

The parliament speaker thanked the Omani nation for their support to the Gaza people during the Israeli onslaught on the costal enclave.

Israel started a blitz on the Gaza Strip on December 27 which lasted for 22 days and left a total of 1,324 Gazans killed.

Al Isa’ee stated that Oman is not worried about Iran’s nuclear achievements.

“We believe Iran is not pursuing nuclear weapons and will use it (nuclear technology) for peaceful purposes,” he added.

The Majlis A’Shura chairman also described the situation in Iraq as tragic and asked Iran to use its influence in helping to establish peace and security in the country.

He went on to say that there has never been any conflict between Oman’s Shia and Sunni groups and blamed the United States for seeking to cause such conflicts in the region.

Larijani said on Tuesday that Iran keeps regional countries up to date on its latest nuclear breakthroughs.

“We have had negotiations with regional countries especially with Oman, and these countries know about Iran’s nuclear progresses,” he told reporters in Muscat upon arrival.

He added that Iran and Oman enjoy close neighborly ties and share similar views on many issues.

The parliament speaker said during his 3-day trip to Oman he plans to hold talks with Omani officials about political, parliamentary, and economic relations as well as energy cooperation.

The Iranian parliament speaker, heading a high-powered delegation, had arrived in the Sultanate on a two-day official visit on Tuesday.

In statements upon arrival, Larijani said that during the visit relations between the two friendly countries in various arenas will be discussed.

“The Sultanate and Iran enjoy deep-rooted ties and these have witnessed continuous development, as they have also achieved great progress especially in political and economic fields,” Larijani said.

He also highlighted that despite the instability in the region, the Sultanate enjoys its own firm standing, which has not changed and continues to be positive towards Iran. This reflects the wise leadership of the leaders of the two countries, Larijani added.

He appreciated the positive role of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said in fostering strong relations between the two countries.

“The critical situation in the region impels us to engage in continuous discussions and more work to attain stability in the region”, he added.

Larijani affirmed that Iran considers the Sultanate of Oman as a friendly country, in addition to the economic and cultural ties, which bind the two countries together.

He also appreciated the great economic development that has occurred in the Sultanate. He disclosed that the two countries will soon start a new project to transport gas to the Sultanate adding that it is considered one of the most strategic schemes between Iran and Oman.

Larijani said that he will discuss a number of regional and international issues with officials in the Sultanate in addition to the latest developments in the region.

“The Iranian side has come with more clarifications about the Iranian nuclear program which will be discussed with the Omani side”, Larijani added.

On his arrival, the Iranian parliament speaker was received by HE Sheikh Isa’ee along with the two deputy chairmen of the Shura Council, and HE Mohammed Bin Said Al Kalbani, the council member and the head of the Omani side of Omani-Iranian friendship group, the Iranian ambassador accredited to the Sultanate and HE Yahyah Bin Abdullah Al Araimi, the Sultanate’s ambassador accredited to the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Meanwhile, HH Sayyid Fahd Bin Mahmoud Al Said, Deputy Prime Minister for the Council of Ministers, received HE Gary A. Grappo, the US Ambassador to the Sultanate, who bid Fahd a farewell at the end of his tour of duty in the Sultanate.

Conversation during the meeting dealt with existing relations between the two countries and ways of developing them, in addition to reviewing a number of current issues on regional and international arenas.

Fahd expressed the Omani government’s appreciation for the fruitful efforts exerted by the ambassador during his tour of duty and his good contribution in developing relations and wishing him success in his future mission.

For his part, the ambassador expressed his government’s admiration for the balanced policy pursued by the Sultanate at the international level. He also affirmed that his country has high esteem and respect for His Majesty Sultan Qaboos Bin Said and his wise policy that accomplished achievements for the Sultanate in various fields.

He also thanked all officials for the care extended to him, which helped him in accomplishing his mission.