Oman’s recently appointed Foreign Minister, Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi, is optimistic about the US returning to the Iran nuclear deal.
A return would provide a “wider step” to build dialogue with Iran on key regional issues and concerns, Mr Al Busaidi said on Thursday.
“We are always ready to assist in every way possible,” he said in an online interview hosted by the Atlantic Council.
“We enjoy a very good relationship with Iran and we obviously enjoy a great relationship with the United States.
“I believe the channels are open directly between the foreign policy team in Washington and Iran.
"I see no reason why those channels can’t be reactivated. Some of the members of that team were involved in the negotiations [for the nuclear deal] in the first place.”
Obama administration officials, many of whom now serve in the Biden administration, initiated secret negotiations with Iran in Oman that ultimately led to the nuclear deal.
The Biden administration insists that Iran must end its breaches of the deal before it lifts the Trump-era sanctions, while Tehran insists that the US lift those penalties before it returns to compliance with the accord.
Mr Al Busaidi also said his country was content with the present level of relations with Israel after speculation that it would be next in joining the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco to establish full ties.
He said Oman was still committed to a two-state solution to the Palestinian-Israeli dispute, calling it a “matter of respecting justice and international law”.
“Achieving a two-state solution would be the single greatest contribution to regional stability we could presently imagine,” Mr Al Busaidi said.
He praised the new US administration and the steps it had taken in Yemen, including removing the Houthi rebels, known as Ansarullah, from its list of terrorist groups – a move made by the Trump administration in its final days in office.
“America is back as a force for peace as three particular decisions to bring about an end to the conflict in Yemen clearly demonstrate, by helping stem the flow of weapons into the conflict and by removing the exclusionary designation of Ansarullah as a terrorist organisation,” Mr Al Busaidi said.
Those steps, and the appointment of Tim Lenderking as US envoy to Yemen, “give hope” that the end of the conflict is within reach, he said.
RESULTS
Bantamweight
Victor Nunes (BRA) beat Siyovush Gulmamadov (TJK)
(Split decision)
Featherweight
Hussein Salim (IRQ) beat Shakhriyor Juraev (UZB)
(Round 1 submission, armbar)
Catchweight 80kg
Rashed Dawood (UAE) beat Otabek Kadirov (UZB)
(Round-1 submission, rear naked choke)
Lightweight
Ho Taek-oh (KOR) beat Ronald Girones (CUB)
(Round 3 submission, triangle choke)
Lightweight
Arthur Zaynukov (RUS) beat Damien Lapilus (FRA)
(Unanimous points)
Bantamweight
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) beat Furkatbek Yokubov (RUS)
(Round 1 TKO)
Featherweight
Movlid Khaybulaev (RUS) v Zaka Fatullazade (AZE)
(Round 1 rear naked choke)
Flyweight
Shannon Ross (TUR) beat Donovon Freelow (USA)
(Unanimous decision)
Lightweight
Dan Collins (GBR) beat Mohammad Yahya (UAE)
(Round 2 submission D’arce choke)
Catchweight 73kg
Martun Mezhulmyan (ARM) beat Islam Mamedov (RUS)
(Round 3 submission, kneebar)
Bantamweight world title
Xavier Alaoui (MAR) beat Jaures Dea (CAM)
(Unanimous points 48-46, 49-45, 49-45)
Flyweight world title
Manon Fiorot (FRA) v Gabriela Campo (ARG)
(Round 1 RSC)
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
