Iran-Oman 'strategic' military ties bolster regional security: Top general

Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces Major General Mohammad Baqeri says "strategic" military ties between Iran and Oman can help boost security in the region.

Baqeri made the statement in a meeting with Major General Mattar Salim al Balushi, Commander of the Royal Army of Oman (RAO), in Tehran on Thursday.

He pointed to the great capabilities of the Iranian and Omani military forces in terms of operation, training and intelligence and said the exchange of experience between the two sides would promote regional security.

The top commander added that the armed forces of Iran and Oman enjoy "extensive, continuous and unique" relations.

He invited the Omani naval forces to take part in Iran-Russia-China joint maritime exercises, dubbed the Combined Maritime Security Belt exercise.

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Baqeri stressed the importance of improving Tehran-Muscat ties in various fields and noted that the cultural, historical, religious, and political commonalities can prepare an appropriate ground for increasing interaction between the two sides' armed forces.

He also urged the two countries to boost convergence in the face of regional threats.

"We believe that security of the Persian Gulf region must be provided through interaction and cooperation among the regional countries," he said.

"The Persian Gulf countries have the necessary capacities to ensure regional security and are capable of safeguarding regional security in cooperation with each other without the presence and interference of foreigners," the Iranian commander pointed out.

For his part, the Omani commander called for the improvement of cooperation between the two countries' armed forces.

Balushi said Oman’s policy is to broaden ties with its neighboring states.

Iran and Oman have commonalities in many fields and their proximity to the Strait of Hormuz has added to the significance of bilateral communications, he added.

Iran and Oman have managed to take major steps towards the expansion of ties in recent years and held several joint naval drills.

In December 2021, the Iranian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman held a joint military drill in Iran’s territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman.

The military exercise, which was the ninth of its kind between the Iranian and Omani naval forces, was conducted in line with an agreement reached during sessions held by the two countries’ joint military friendship commissions.

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Back in May, the chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces visited Oman and held key talks on the promotion of peace, cooperation and security in the region.

Iran's Armed Forces in 'most powerful, capable' status: Baqeri

Addressing a ceremony to mark the beginning of the Sacred Defense Week on Friday, Baqeri said the Iranian Armed Forces are now in their "most powerful and capable" state.

He said Iran stretches the hands of friendship and military cooperation with all the neighboring countries and is pursuing dynamic diplomacy in dealing with the states.

Enemies and foreigners have no place in the region and the armed forces' power of the regional countries would promote peace, the senior Iranian commander emphasized.

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