Oman’s quiet diplomacy and Iran
DISCRETION: Oman have long espoused quiet diplomacy in a spirit of politeness and discretion.
DISCRETION: Oman have long espoused quiet diplomacy in a spirit of politeness and discretion.
Secret talks between Iran and the United States, starting in Oman in March 2013, prepared the ground for the November 24 nuclear agreement (“Joint Plan of Action”) between the big powers and Iran. Conducting a foreign policy aimed at good relations with all its neighbors, Oman have long espoused quiet diplomacy in a spirit of politeness and discretion.
Other characteristics of Omani foreign policy are tolerance, deep-rooted pragmatism, and an aversion to sectarian and ideological conflict. Different from some other Arab governments, Oman does not fear Iran.
This article is written by Jeremy Jones, who runs a strategic consultancy based in Oxford, UK. He is also Senior Associate Member at the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies, UK; Senior Fellow for International Relations at the National Council for US Arab relations in Washington DC; and Research Fellow at the Dubai School of Government, UAE. He is author (with Nicholas Ridout) of the book Oman, Culture and Diplomacy, Edinburgh University Press (2012).
Fact
This paper is part of NUPI’s series about regional dimensions of the nuclear controversy with Iran. The series is part of a project funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and will consist of a total of 12 articles.
Further reading:
Regional aspects in the Iranian nuclear controversy
Saudi Arabia’s role in the nuclear talks