During his recent trip to China, the Sultan of Oman engaged in discussions with Chinese officials to explore the possibility of a new round of mediation between Tehran and Washington. This visit, which began on Sunday, is considered the first official trip of an Omani king to China since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1978. The main topic of these negotiations was the examination of China's economic and security guarantees as part of the mediation efforts.
Oman's Role in Mediation and Negotiations
According to informed sources, Oman had previously been sidelined in the mediation process between Tehran and Washington, which involved Pakistan and Qatar. Allegations had been made by the U.S. regarding Muscat's close ties to Tehran at that time. The failure of these mediations was linked to a decrease in trust and the activation of the 'Mecca Agreement'.
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Given the failure of these two paths, the need to activate the Omani channel again has been felt. This channel, which facilitated indirect negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in February 2026, is currently active as a tripartite negotiation pathway among Beijing, Muscat, and Tehran. Meanwhile, China has been involved not only as an indirect supporter but also directly in these discussions.
Agreements and Bilateral Cooperation
During these negotiations, the Sultan of Oman and Xi Jinping, the President of China, also signed agreements on the necessity of resuming the safe passage of ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Additionally, both parties emphasized the expansion of bilateral cooperation in the fields of technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and food security. The Sultan of Oman referred to the growth of direct Chinese investments in Oman during this meeting, considering it a sign of a unique transformation in the economic relations between the two countries.
Furthermore, during this visit, a memorandum of understanding along with 14 agreements and cooperation protocols in various fields was signed. Xi Jinping described the expansion of relations with Oman as a strategic choice for both countries and emphasized the need for joint efforts to restore peace and stability to the region.
On the other hand, China has announced that it is beginning an intensive diplomatic tour to reduce tensions in the West Asia and Africa region. In this context, a special envoy from China will be dispatched in November to Iran, Oman, and Saudi Arabia to advance peace efforts and regional dialogue. Meanwhile, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has simultaneously dispatched its special ambassador to other countries as well.
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