Pan Arab Asharq Al Awsat on May 14 carried an interesting a piece entitled “Larijani in Mascat: Iran’s power is for the benefit of the all of the countries in the region…and we do not pose either a threat or intend to create an empire.” The comments, made by Iran’s Leader of Parliament, came on an official visit to the Sultanate this past week.
During the visit, Larijani and senior Omani officials praised expanded Omani-Iranian political, cultural and economic cooperation, in particular the Iran-Omani “Kish field” gas deal. The agreement, signed in December of 2008, would in its first phase deliver 1 b. cubic feet of natural gas per day to Oman, through a pipeline linking the underwater field to Oman’s Musandam Peninsula. An extension would carry gas on to the city of Sohar, on Oman’s Batinah coast, West of Muscat. In its final phase, the pipeline is expected to deliver 3 b. cubic feet per day. If Iranian gas were to be re-exported, neighboring countries experiencing severe energy shortages would stand to benefit.
Oman agreed to cover the entire 12 billion US development cost, but has been having some difficulties raising the required capital. An anonymous source told Reuters last week that the global economic crisis would delay completion by a year, to 2013. Larijani’s trip coincided with an official visit to the Sultanate by the head of Hamas’ political directorate Khaled Mishal.The ex-“Enriched Iranium” blog detailed Oman’s growing ties with Iran 2007-2008, including agreements to trade Omani investment in newly-privatized Iranian companies for technical assistance and investment in Omani ports. –EDC
Iran and Oman should move forward with stronger ties in all fields of development. Oman’s development and iran’s progress are a source of pride for all countreis and people in the world of Islam.
Hasan