For a bit of overdue color on the contemporary Oman-Iran relationship, see Michael Slackman’s article (Oman Navigates Between Iran and Arab Nations, NYT, May 23, 2009) “The quietly influential Sultanate of Oman has accelerated its cooperation with Tehran, nurturing an alliance that helps empower Iran while highlighting the deep divisions among Arab capitals”.
Slackman’s piece supports points we’ve been making for some time, i.e., 1.) There are clear limits to the pressure the Arab states are willing and/or able to exert on their Northern neighbor (as well as limits to the pressure they’re willing to take from the West) 2.) There are many in the region who feel Iran’s acquisition of nuclear weapons is not the paramount to threat to security in the region [see Chorin's article "US Unwise to Deny Iran's Role in the Gulf" in the FT last year] and 3.) It’s largely about trade–the farther east one goes within the Gulf, the more dependent local economies are (and will be) on Iran for future energy needs and economic growth. See previous postings for details on the history of Iran-Oman trade since 2006. –EDC
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