Muscat: We value Pakistan’s role in the dialogue between Iran and America

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Omani Foreign Minister Badr Al Busaidi praised the constructive role and efforts led by Pakistan to support dialogue, diplomacy and reduce escalation in the region.

The Omani minister also indicated, in a press conference with his Pakistani counterpart, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, held in Islamabad today, Wednesday, on the sidelines of the eighth session of the joint ministerial committee between the two countries, Muscat’s appreciation for Pakistan’s pivotal role in creating spaces and creating an encouraging atmosphere for dialogue between the United States and Iran.

Al Busaidi pointed out that more ways of cooperation and partnership between the two countries were being discussed.

In addition, he praised "the constructive role played by Pakistan in supporting dialogue and diplomacy in the region at a time when escalation could easily escalate." He said: "We value Pakistan's role, which helped create space for dialogue between Iran and the United States in particular."

For his part, Ishaq Dar indicated that he discussed with his Omani counterpart the US-Iranian crisis, the Strait of Hormuz, Bab al-Mandab, Palestine, and the situation in Gaza.

The agreement also emphasized working closely for regional peace and dealing with current issues. He said: "We discussed the situation of the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the new developments between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, and I think we share the same appreciation for these developments, and we must do our best to resolve these issues."

Pakistan played the role of mediator between the American and Iranian sides for months, and its efforts, along with other countries, led to reaching a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran last June. However, this initial agreement quickly collapsed with renewed American strikes on Iranian targets in July, following the continuation of Iranian attacks on cargo ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Meanwhile, Muscat resumed its efforts and negotiations with Tehran in order to reach an understanding that would restore movement to this important shipping lane. However, those discussions were later frozen, despite Iran’s confirmation of reaching an agreement on most of the outstanding issues in this vital file.