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Oman

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Oman. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Muscat

Head of State

Sultan Haitham bin Tariq

Head of Government

Prime Minister Haitham bin Tariq

A satellite photo shows the Bushehr nuclear reactor in Iran. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via AP

US-Iran tensions

Iran to present nuclear counterproposal to US, Trump says talks to resume

Iran says it will put forward a ‘balanced’ counter to ‘unacceptable’ US proposal.

10 Jun 2025 - 11:33AM

China travel

China expands visa-free entry

9 Jun 2025 - 2:57PM

Middle East

Iran’s supreme leader rejects key US nuclear demand

4 Jun 2025 - 3:39PM

Asean

Opinion | Beyond trade, Asean-GCC-China summit heralds Asia’s cultural renaissance

The recent meeting in Kuala Lumpur transcended economics and geopolitics, representing a pivotal moment of inter-civilisational engagement.

1 Jun 2025 - 9:30AMvideocam

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and China’s Premier Li Qiang at the Aseam-GCC-China Summit in Kuala Lumpur on May 26. Photo: Handout

Middle East

US sends Iran proposal for nuclear deal

Washington and Tehran are expected to hold a 6th round of talks, with Trump saying an agreement was possible in the ‘not-too-distant future’.

1 Jun 2025 - 6:21AM

China-Middle East relations

China offers visa-free travel to 4 Gulf countries following landmark meeting

Passport holders from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain will be allowed to stay for up to 30 days under year-long trial policy.

28 May 2025 - 8:15PMvideocam

United States

‘Time to decide’: Iran, US finish latest round of nuclear talks in Rome

The talks seek to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme in exchange for the lifting of some of the crushing economic sanctions the US has imposed on the nation.

24 May 2025 - 6:41AMvideocam

Iranian delegates arrive at the Omani Embassy in Rome on Friday for a meeting with a US delegation to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme. Photo: AP

United States

Opinion | With his ‘historic’ tour, Trump puts US power back in the Middle East

In reasserting the US in the centre of the Middle East’s strategic calculus, Trump also weakens the leverage and influence of Russia and China.

23 May 2025 - 5:30AM

Germany

Germany busts group suspected of procuring visas for wealthy Chinese

The network is believed to have helped a large number of Chinese nationals enter and stay in Germany, charging up to US$260,790 per case.

22 May 2025 - 1:27PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong secures visa-free entry to UAE, eased rules for Oman

Chief Executive John Lee is on the last day of his delegation’s ‘fruitful’ tour in which city signed 59 MOUs and agreements with Qatar and Kuwait.

14 May 2025 - 11:19PM

Chief Executive John Lee (fourth from left) at a business luncheon in Kuwait. Photo: Handout

US-Iran tensions

US and Iran conclude 4th round of nuclear talks in Oman

Both sides will continue talks over the Islamic Republic’s nuclear programme after ‘useful’ round.

12 May 2025 - 12:00PM

An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US mural near the former US embassy in Tehran. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

Iranian nuclear enrichment ‘red line’ for US ahead of new talks

Trump has voiced hope for reaching a deal with Tehran to avert an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear programme that could ignite a wider war.

10 May 2025 - 8:28PM

Middle East

Trump says US to stop Houthi strikes after rebels pledge to end ship attacks

Ceasefire deal between Yemen’s Houthis and the US does not include sparing Israel, the group said.

8 May 2025 - 8:36AM

Middle East

As nuclear talks stall, Trump threatens sanctions on anyone who buys Iran oil

Such a move could escalate tensions with China – Iran’s leading customer – when ties are already strained over tariffs.

2 May 2025 - 1:15PM

An Iranian woman walks past an anti-US mural near the former US embassy in a street in Tehran, Iran, on Thursday. Photo: EPA-EFE

US-Iran tensions

US Pentagon chief says military ready to ensure Iran never gets a nuclear bomb

Pete Hegseth said Trump hoped to avoid military option ‘but if we have to, we will to prevent the nuclear bomb in Iran’s hands’.

14 Apr 2025 - 8:22AMvideocam

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

US in hurry for nuclear deal, Iran says after high-stakes talks, Trump threats

Iran’s foreign minister briefly spoke face-to-face with the US president’s special envoy, and says discussions will resume next week.

13 Apr 2025 - 3:46PM

Iran

Last chance for diplomacy? US, Iran open decade-defining nuclear talks

With Trump’s threats and a tight two-month deadline, analysts warn that failure to compromise could trigger a dangerous escalatory cycle.

12 Apr 2025 - 1:10PM

Banking & finance

Hong Kong, GCC seek synergies in finance and infrastructure to deepen ties

Officials from Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman and Qatar say Hong Kong can a play a major role to help diversify their economies.

14 Jan 2025 - 6:51PM

Officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council take part in a panel discussion at the Asian Financial Forum on Tuesday. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Middle East

Isis spreads terror to Oman, targeting Shiite Muslims in mosque shooting

It marked the first time that the Sunni Muslim extremist group has claimed responsibility for an attack in Oman.

17 Jul 2024 - 3:38PM

United States

Joe Biden speaks with Oman ruler as China eyes stronger presence in Middle East

US President Joe Biden has spoken with the sultan of Oman after he was briefed about a Chinese plan to build a military facility in the Middle Eastern country.

11 Nov 2023 - 3:55PM

US-China relations

Biden briefed on Chinese effort to put military base in Oman

Chinese and Omani officials discussed the matter last month, the US president was told, amid efforts by Beijing to deepen ties in the Middle East.

8 Nov 2023 - 3:08AMvideocam

The guided-missile frigate Jingzhou of the 44th Chinese naval escort taskforce conducts joint training on formation maneuver with a warship from the Royal Navy of Oman in waters near Muscat, Oman in October.
Photo: Chinese Defence Ministry

Tourism

How do countries around the world mark their national days? A look at 10

In the United States, fireworks and hot dogs mark July 4 – and so does the launching of cars off a cliff. Which country invites its entire population to a royal garden party on its national day? Find out.

30 Sep 2023 - 5:15PM

In Thailand, December 5 marks the birthday of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and also the National Father’s Day. Photo: Getty Images

Middle East

Oman looks to raise profile in Asia after role ending Saudi-Iran feud

Oil-heavy nation aims to capitalise on success as Riyadh-Tehran intermediary, say analysts, and is involved in Yemen peace negotiations and energy deals – some of them green – with Asian partners.

16 Apr 2023 - 3:00PMvideocam

Middle East

Iran prosecutes woman for ‘disrespecting’ Islamic headscarf

‘Legal proceedings have been launched against a woman who disrespected her headscarf,’ local media reported. The requirement for women to wear the headscarf in public has been enshrined in law since 1979.

19 Feb 2023 - 1:01AM

United States

Alabama woman who joined Isis hopes to return from Syria camp

Hoda Muthana said she was brainwashed by online traffickers into joining IS in 2014. She says she hopes to return to the US and serve prison time if necessary.

9 Jan 2023 - 8:30AMvideocam

Hoda Muthana during an interview in Roj detention camp in Syria in November. Photo: AP / The News Movement

Middle East

Driving force? Saudi woman at wheel in Dakar rally steers careful course

Akeel, one of two Saudi women competing in 2023 race and one of only 31 women among 790 competitors, is vulnerable to accusations she is part of a ‘sportswashing’ campaign.

4 Jan 2023 - 2:29AMvideocam

Saudi driver Dania Akeel. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Gaza authorities discover over 60 Roman era graves

Hamas authorities in Gaza announced the discovery of dozens of tombs in an ancient burial site dating back to the Roman era.

12 Dec 2022 - 9:06AM

Middle East

Turkey arrests Syrian woman in deadly Istanbul blast, PKK denies attack

A woman has been arrested following the explosion in a bustling pedestrian avenue in the heart of Istanbul on Sunday, killing six people, wounding several dozen. The PKK has denied any role in the attack.

14 Nov 2022 - 8:39PMvideocam

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