Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman's minister responsible for foreign affairs
Oman seeking to ease US-Iran tensions
Omani minister responsible for foreign affairs warns war could harm entire world if it breaks out.
Friday 24/05/2019
Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, Oman's minister responsible for foreign affairs
DUBAI - Oman is trying "with other parties" to reduce tensions between the United States and Iran, the Omani foreign ministry said on Twitter.
The tweet cited Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, the sultanate’s minister responsible for foreign affairs.
Bin Alawi warned that war "could harm the entire world if it breaks out." He did not confirm any current Omani mediation but said both the US and Iran “realise the gravity of the situation.”
US-Iranian tensions rose following US President Donald Trump's withdrawal last year from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and his reimposition of tough economic sanctions. They sharpened earlier this month after Trump tightened sanctions to try to eliminate Iran's oil exports.
Strains further deepened with Saudi Arabia accusing Iran of ordering armed drone attacks on two oil pumping stations and the May 12 sabotage of four vessels, including two Saudi tankers, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates.
US government sources said Washington strongly suspects militias with ties to Tehran were behind those attacks as well as a rocket strike in Baghdad’s Green Zone.