Iran, Oman must boost ties after JCPOA implementation: Rouhani

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani says Iran and Oman must improve all-out relations after the implementation of the nuclear agreement, dubbed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), between Tehran and six world powers.

“It is necessary that the two countries further use opportunities created in post-JCPOA era to strengthen cooperation, particularly in economic areas,” Rouhani said in a meeting with Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah in Tehran on Sunday.

The Iranian president commended Oman’s positive stance on the promotion of regional stability and peace and its role during Tehran’s nuclear negotiations with the P5+1 group of countries as Muscat hosted several rounds of the talks.

Iran and the five permanent members of the UN Security Council – the United States, France, Britain, China and Russia – plus Germany started to implement the JCPOA on January 16.

After the JCPOA went into effect, all nuclear-related sanctions imposed on Iran by the European Union, the Security Council and the US were lifted. Iran in return has put some limitations on its nuclear activities. The nuclear agreement was signed on July 14, 2015, following two and a half years of intensive talks.

Rouhani said Tehran and Muscat enjoy “friendly, cordial and strategic” relations, adding, “The level of economic and trade cooperation between the two countries should be expanded and deepened in parallel with the political ties.”

The Iranian president said Tehran-Muscat ties are based on friendship and mutual confidence and the two sides have exemplary relations in the region, adding that Iran welcomes further expansion of trade and economic cooperation with Oman.

He expressed hope that the current visit by the Omani foreign minister and his accompanying delegation to Tehran would open a new chapter in mutual ties.

The Omani foreign minister, for his part, said his country was determined to improve cooperation with Iran in all fields.

Bin Alawi said Oman will provide Iranian tradesmen with special facilities and welcomes their active presence in Muscat, as strengthening of economic cooperation between Iran and Oman will serve the two nations’ interests.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, Bin Alawi arrived in Tehran on Saturday morning for an official two-day visit to hold talks with senior Iranian officials.

Earlier on Sunday, he held separate meetings with Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Zangeneh, and Minister of Roads and Urban Development Abbas Akhoundi. On Saturday, he sat down with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council (SNSC) Ali Shamkhani.

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