Oman and Iran stress importance of de-escalation and maritime security

Muscat (ANTARA) - Oman and Iran on Monday (22/6) stressed the importance of leveraging the current diplomatic momentum to advance peace efforts during a visit by Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to Muscat, as reported by the Oman News Agency. The report revealed that during a meeting between Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi and Ghalibaf, both sides emphasised the need to uphold international law and the principle of good neighbourliness to maintain regional security and guarantee the safety of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and international shipping lanes. The meeting took place as diplomatic efforts continue following the first session of United States (US)-Iran talks held in Switzerland, facilitated by Pakistan and Qatar, after the signing of a US-Iran peace memorandum of understanding (MoU) last week. Mediators on Monday (22/6) announced ‘encouraging’ outcomes from the talks, including a 60-day roadmap towards a final agreement and a mechanism to ensure the security of commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz and end the fighting between Israel and Hezbollah. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday (22/6) also stated in a release that Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah Al Saud and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, in a telephone conversation, reaffirmed support for the MoU and the negotiation process.