عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Gulf

Oman’s FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sultan Haitham’s Visit to Iran Will Positively Impact Region

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
TT
20
TT

Oman’s FM to Asharq Al-Awsat: Sultan Haitham’s Visit to Iran Will Positively Impact Region

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)
Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Muscat. (ONA file photo)

Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq will kick off on Sunday an official two-day visit to Iran, his first since ascending the throne in 2020.

He is set to meet with President Ebrahim Raisi and a number of senior officials.

The Sultan is traveling at the head of a large delegation that includes the ministers of defense, foreign affairs, economy and investment.

The visit is taking place amid a wave of regional reconciliations, the most recent of which was the reinstatement of Syria’s membership in the Arab League and the announcement in March that Saudi Arabia and Iran were reestablishing diplomatic ties.

Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi told Asharq Al-Awsat that the region is embarking on a new positive phase in regional relations.

Cooperation and consultations must be deepened in several files and issues to consolidate the new phase, which will no doubt be at the heart of discussions between the leaders, he remarked.

He noted that Oman and Iran enjoy historic fraternal relations based on firm principles of trust and mutual respect. The visit stems from the importance the leaderships of both countries place on cooperation and consultations on various regional and international issues.

“In Oman, we are hoping that this historic visit will reflect positively on the stability and security of the region and on relations between the region’s neighbors,” the FM stressed.

“We will work on ensuring that its outcomes will be felt on the regional and international levels,” he went on to say.

Most Viewed

 
Gulf

How Saudi Arabia Contributes to Global Hunger Relief Efforts

Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
TT
20
TT

How Saudi Arabia Contributes to Global Hunger Relief Efforts

Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)
Saudi food aid reaches those in need in Chad (SPA)

Following the global economic crisis of 1973 and its aftermath, Saudi Arabia provided a $50 million grant to the World Food Program (WFP) between 1975 and 1976 to support its food aid projects for those affected by the crisis.
This contribution marked the beginning of Saudi Arabia’s long-standing role as a generous supporter of the WFP, a partnership that has spanned half a century.
This historical support underscores Saudi Arabia's continued efforts to combat global hunger, a challenge that now impacts 343 million people worldwide.
Saudi support on the international stage has been extensive, either through direct assistance or coordination with the WFP, reaching numerous countries and continents. The partnership between Saudi Arabia and the WFP has been regarded by observers as a key model in the fight against hunger.
Recently, both parties reaffirmed their shared commitment to combating hunger by signing a new five-year cooperation agreement between the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and the WFP, paving the way for a new chapter of potential projects.
The joint cooperation program adopts a multi-faceted approach to address humanitarian challenges in emergencies, capacity building, disaster risk reduction, and logistics.
“The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s humanitarian support plays a valuable role in WFP’s efforts to stop hunger and malnutrition in their tracks. As we look to the future, we are pleased to reaffirm our shared commitment to strengthening and expanding this partnership to reach even more people in need,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.
The partnership has spanned five decades, with one of its most notable milestones occurring during the global financial crisis of 2008.
At that time, Saudi Arabia announced a historic and generous $500 million grant to WFP to help continue its relief projects and provide food to millions affected by rising food prices.
In 2014, Saudi Arabia also contributed over $200 million to supply food for displaced families in Iraq, as well as refugees from Syria in neighboring countries, and those from South Sudan and Somalia.