Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran,Iran

2 Ph.D. Candidate Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Human Sciences, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.

10.22059/jhss.2024.372294.473691

Abstract

The relations between Oman and Iran have a very long history. This longstanding connection is clearly documented in historical records over the past century, showcasing the diplomatic engagements between the two nations. Numerous factors, contexts, and platforms have shaped the Omani rulers' approach, marking them as individuals of high tolerance towards other states and nations in local, regional, and international politics. Oman's strategic position at the Strait of Hormuz, coupled with its identity as a Muslim country boasting ethnic diversity—including Arab, Iranian, Indian, Chinese, and Pakistani communities—has enriched its cultural, religious, social, and linguistic tapestry. This diversity within the social structure of its rulers has enabled Oman to undertake political actions aimed at fostering political solidarity and an internal bond of tolerance among all ethnic groups, thereby embodying these values.Such practices have positioned Oman as a nation characterized by tolerance, balance in behavior, and stability in local, regional, and international policy adoption. Historical documents and texts reveal that Omani rulers have held a prestigious status in various fields, significantly contributing to de-escalating tensions and preventing conflicts among Muslim countries. By embracing a policy that spans political, social, economic, religious, cultural, linguistic, and security dimensions, Oman has played a pivotal role in peacefully resolving local, regional, and international disputes. Notable examples of Oman's diplomatic interventions include its involvement in the Iran-Iraq war, nuclear negotiations, the Iraq-Kuwait conflict, the signing of numerous oil, gas, and security agreements in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea, facilitating hostage releases, and the exchange of cultural, artistic, and media delegations.Moreover, Oman has been instrumental in mediating significant issues such as the conflict between Ansar Allah (the Houthis) and Saudi Arabia, showcasing its commitment to peace and security in the region. This aspect of Omani diplomacy merits attention as a critical historical topic in international relations.The current research aims to examine the role and position of the Omani government in its relations with Iran from the pre-revolutionary period to the present, based on historical documents and evidence. By employing a descriptive, explanatory, and analytical method, this study addresses the underlying factors, grounds, substrates, and motives that have sustained the balanced and relatively stable relationship between Oman and Iran since before the revolution.Preliminary findings suggest that various factors and contexts have historically underpinned the positive and robust relationship between Oman and Iran. Oman's role as a mediator in regional and international conflicts has contributed to outcomes favoring peace, friendship, and security in the Persian Gulf. This research focuses exclusively on the diplomatic interactions between Oman and Iran, emphasizing the significance of their cooperative efforts while other matters remain beyond its scope

Keywords

Main Subjects

Abd al-Qadir, Nizar (2006), "Iranian foreign affairs policy", Lebanese University: Lebanese National Defense, Issue (58), pp. 1-24. [In Arabic].
Aboudia, Saad (1998), Omani foreign policies during the reign of Sultan Qaboos 1970-1998, a study in the beliefs of the decision-maker of Al-Omani, Al-Tabbah al-Ulwa, Jordan, Amman: Dar al-Bashir.[In Arabic].
Al-Abri, Saeed bin Salman (1996), Diplomatic and Consular Organization of the Sultanate of Oman, Cairo: Dar Al-Nahda Al-Arabiya.[In Arabic].
Al-Alawi, Abdul Aziz bin Hilal bin Khalifa (2011), "The effect of Omani-Iranian political relations on the security of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries after the events of September 11, 2001", Master's thesis, Professor: Muhammad Ahmed Al-Maqdad, Al-Bayt University, College of Political Sciences. [In Arabic].
Al-Amiri, Khalid (2021), Reading in Al-Muwazaneh Al-Muwazaneh Al-Sanan al-Maliyya 2021, First Edition, Sultanate of Oman, Muscat: Al-Jamaeh Al-Eqdasatiya Al-Omaniya. [In Arabic].
Al-Balushi, Maryam Youssef (2016), "Effect of Omani-Iranian relations on the security of the Majlis al-Ta'awun countries after the Arab spring", Al-Mustaqbal al-Arabi magazine, volume (38), issue (445), pp. 50-67. [In Arabic].
Al-Barhawi, Ra'ad Mahmoud (2018), Omani policy towards Iran in the reign of Sultan Qaboos 1970-2017, first edition, Jordan, Oman: Dar Dejala Publishing and Distribution. [In Arabic].
Al-Bawaba Al-Mahadiya (2021), "Promising Economic Sectors, Logistics Services Sector" [report]. Date of visit: March 10, 2022, website link: https://www.omaninfo.om/module.php?m=pages showpage & CatID = 175&ID=606. [In Arabic].
Al-Darmaki, Ali bin Salman bin Saeed (2012), "Political Development and Periods in Political Establishment in the Sultanate of Oman 1981-2012", Master's Thesis, Professor: Saad Faisal Al-Saad, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat University, College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Political Sciences. [In Arabic].
Al-Ghurairi, Abd al-Abbas (2003), Political Geography of the Sultanate of Oman, A Study in Al-Geopolitics, Jordan, Amman: Dar Safa Publishing and Distribution. [In Arabic].
Al-Hatrooshi, Salem bin Mubarak (2014), Natural Geography of the Sultanate of Oman, first edition, Sultanate of Oman, Muscat: Al-Sultan Qaboos University, Majlis Al-Nashar Al-Alami. [In Arabic].
Al-Hattab, Sultan (2014), Sultanate of Oman, Umm al-Waqeed, Qaboos bin Saeed, first edition, Oman: Dar al-Aruba for Studies and Publishing. [In Arabic].
Al-Hazrami, Omar; Al-Qatatsha, Muhammad (May 2007), "Al-Thawabt and Mertakzaat fi al-Omaniya foreign policy", Proceedings of the Fourth Scientific Conference on Oman's Foreign Relations in the 20th Century, Jordan, Al-Bayt Society. [In Arabic].
Al-Ismaili, Ahmed (January 2014), "Omani-Iranian Relations and Effects on Gulf Integration", Gulf Cooperation Council Conference, Politics and Economy in the Light of Regional Changes, Arab Center for Policy Research and Study, Doha. [In Arabic].
Alkhazaleh, S & Abdel Rahman, A (2020),oman foreign policy towards the arab spring in the framework of strategic hedging, bursa uludag university.
Al-Khorusiya, Maryam bint Saeed bin Muhammad (2016), "The Aspects of Omani-Iranian Relations, Security of the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz", Sultan Qaboos University, Faculty of Arts, Department of Media, pp. 1-33. [In Arabic].
Al-Omari, Mohammad Saeed (2004), Dhofar al-Thawra fi al-Tarheeh Al-Omani al-Mahdeen, first edition, Beirut: Riyad al-Rais for books and publishing. [In Arabic].
Al-Qaisi, Mohammad Wael (2016), American strategic performance after 2008: Barack Obama's administration as an example, first edition, Saudi Arabia, Riyadh: Dar al-Ubikan Publishing. [In Arabic].
Al-Qasimi, Sultan bin Muhammad (1989), Partition of the Omani Empire 1856-1862, Al-Tabbah Al-Ulwa, Dubai: Est. Al-Bayan for Printing and Publishing. [In Arabic].
Al-Sayed, Khalid Abdul Rahim (2013), The States of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab Spring, first edition, Qatar, Doha: Dar Al-Sharq for Printing and Publishing.[In Arabic].
Al-Taee, Tajuddin Jafar (2013), Iran's strategy towards Gulf countries..., first edition, Damascus: Dar Est. Raslan. [In Arabic].
Altoraifi, A (2012), “Underestanding the role of state identity in foreign policy decision making The Rise and Demise of Saudi-Iranian.
Al-Wahibi, Hamoud bin Abdullah bin Hamoud (2012), "The Effect of Geographical Location on the Foreign Policy of the Sultanate of Oman 1970-2011", Master's Thesis, Professor: Mohammad Jamil Al-Sheikhli, Al-Sharq Al-Awsat University, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Department of Political Science.[In Arabic].
Asadi, Bijan (2008), Persian Gulf and its problems, third edition, Tehran: Samt. [In Persian].
Asayesh Zaraj, Mohammad Javad (2005), "Iran's Foreign Policy Regarding Neighbors: Relations with the Sultanate of Oman for example", Iran and the Arabs, Issue (14), pp. 30-7.[In Persian].
Asayesh Zarchi, Mohammad Javad (August and September 2013), "The foreign policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and its attitude towards its neighbors, especially the Sultanate of Oman", Political-Economic Information, No. (203) (204), pp. 114-127.[In Persian].
Athir (2014), "I hope to announce a final agreement between Iran and the West in Muscat or Vienna" [news], visit date: February 13, 2020, website link: https://www.atheer.om/archives/18802/.[In Arabic].
Barghamadi, Abul Fazl (2012), the influence of the political geography of Oman on the political relations between Iran and Oman in the last decade of 1371-1391, master's thesis, supervisor: Mohammad Ali Khosravi, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Faculty of Political Sciences.[In Persian].
Bashara, Azmi; Al-Zawairi, Mahjoub (2010), The Arabs and Iran Review in History and Politics, Doha: Al-Marsaq Al-Arabi for Policy Research and Study. [In Arabic].
Bayoumy, Y (2016), Iran steps up weapons supply to Yemen’s Houthis via Oman, Reuters, 30 October, at:https://www.reuters.com/article/usyemen-security-iran/exclusive-iransteps-up-weapons-supply-to-yemens-houthis-via-oman-officials-idUSKCN12K0CX.
Bin Juma, Juma Ali (2010), Arab security in a changing world, first edition, Egypt, Cairo: Madbouli School. [In Arabic].
Damanpak Jami, Morteza (2012), "The influence of historical and cultural connections on the relations between Iran and Oman (with emphasis on the historical reasons for Iran's intervention in Dhofar)", History of Foreign Relations, 15(57), pp. 143-188.[In Persian].
Dehghani Firouzabadi, Seyed Jalal; Nouri, Vahid (2011), "An analysis of the interactions between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council 1384-1391", International Relations Research, 1(5), pp. 52-9. [In Persian].
Ebrahimi, Shahrouz; Asi, Vahid (2015), "Investigating the impact of the nuclear power of the Islamic Republic of Iran on its relations with the countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council", Defense Policy, 24(97), pp. 191-218.[In Persian].
Elahi, Homayun (1389), Persian Gulf and its problems, 12th edition, Tehran: Qoms.[In Persian].
Ezzati, Ezzatullah (1364), Middle East Geographical Policies, Tehran: Officer Faculty Publications.[In Persian].
Ghanat Alalam,(2023), "Cooperation Council summit starts by welcoming nuclear deal between Iran and 5+1" [News], visit date: February 10, 2020, website link: https: // www. alalam. Ir / news / 1543221/ %D9%82%D9%85%D8%A9. [In Arabic].
Ghasemi Naraghi, Ali Asghar (2008), Persian Gulf Cooperation Council, Tehran: Bureau of Political and International Studies, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Publications.[In Persian].
Halliday, F (1999), Revolution and Word Politics,Durham: Duke University Press.
Hossein, Mustafa Jassim; Ahmed Hossein, Ali Akbar (2019), "Al-Afaq Al-Mustaqbaliyah for Iranian-Omanian Relations", Al-Mustansariyyah University: Al-Majjal al-Saliyah al-Dawliyya, No. 41-42, pp. 281-320. [In Arabic].
Hosseini Kia, Seyyed Vahid (2013), examining the areas of convergence and divergence in the relations between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Sultanate of Oman, master's thesis, supervisor: Morteza Noormohammadi, Allameh Tabatabai University, Faculty of Law and Political Sciences.[In Persian].
Ismail Ahmad, Shirin(2017), Al-Mujaz fi Tarikh Sultanate of Oman Al-Qadim and Hadith, First Edition, Jordan, Amman: Dar Al-Khalij for Publishing and Distribution. [In Arabic].
Jafari Veldani, Asghar (2009), "Geopolitics of the Strait of Hormuz and Iran-Oman relations", Political Science Journal, 5(3), pp. 35-67. [In Persian].
Jarghun, Arafat Ali (2016), Iranian-Gulf Relations, Conflict... Al-Infaraj... Al-Tawtar..., First Edition, Egypt, Cairo: Al-Marqas Arabi for Publishing and Distribution. [In Arabic].
Jassim, Khairy Abd al-Razzaq (2019), "Iranian Gulf Relations Study in the Security Problem", Hammurabi, Center for International Studies and Strategic Studies (29), pp. 49-63. [In Arabic].
Joladari, Umm al-Binin; Hosni Chenar, Seyedah Roghieh (2015), "An analysis of the phenomenon of Iranophobia and its effect on Iran-Oman relations", Middle East Studies, 23(1), pp. 155-172.[In Persian].
Keshk, Ashraf Mohammad (2003), "The political relations of Kuwait and Iran, an analytical view", Mokhtarat Iraniya, No. 31.[In Arabic].
Matar, Alaa Mohammad Al-Abd (2004), Ideology of the Iranian Revolution and its effects on the attention of the Iranian foreign policy towards the Gulf countries... 1979-2003, Master's Thesis, Professor: Mohammad Al-Saeed Abd al-Mu'min, Jamiat Al-Daw Al Arab, Institute of Arabic Studies and Research, Section Political research and studies.[In Arabic].
Molavi, A (2010), “Iran and the Gulf states’’, in Wright, Robin., “The iran Primer’’, edited, Washington: USIP.
Muqald, Mustafa Ahmed (2023), "Omani's ascension on the corpse of the regional and international contradictions", Center.[In Arabic].
Nemati, Nuruddin (2013), "Dhofar Movement 1965-75", Historical Researches, Isfahan University, 50th year, 6th year new course, 4th issue, pp. 109-120.[In Persian].
Noor Mohammadi, Morteza; Kazemi, Hojjat (2014), "The place of culture in the development of cultural Iranophobia in the countries of the Persian Gulf", Strategic Policy Research, 3(12), pp. 114-87.[In Persian].
Rapprochement (1997-2009)’’, A thesis submitted to the Departement Of international Relations of the London School of Economice and Political Science for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy London, October 2012.
Sadeghi Aol, conductor; Naqadi Ishrat Abad, Jafar (2013), "Relations between Iran and the Shura Regional Fortress Persian Gulf Cooperation", World Politics, No. 10, pp. 151-182.[In Persian].
Saeed, Basma Mubarak (January 2014), "Reading on Oman's view on the issue of rapprochement with Iran and the Gulf Alliance", Al Jazeera Center for Studies, Qatar: Doha. [In Arabic].
Shaf for Future Studies and Crisis Analysis (Eastern Asia and Africa), visit date: March 14, 2023, website link: https: // shafcenter. org/ % D8% B5%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%AF.[In Arabic].
Sherlock, R (9 July 2019), How Oman Has Become A Key Diplomatic Player In The Middle East. Retrieved from https:/ /www. kpbs. org. Spykman, N. J. (1942). America’s Strategy in World Politics: The United States and the Balance of Power, New York: Harcourt.
Simbar, Reza et al. (2019), "Policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the countries of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council", Fundamental and Applied Studies of the Islamic World, 4(6), pp. 72-49. [In Persian].
Tabari, Taqi (2008), "The Role of Iran's Islamic Revolution in the Formation and Continuity of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council", Political Science Research Quarterly: Baqir Al-Uloom University, 5(20), pp. 104-91.[In Persian].
Talha, Amira (2016), Iran's nuclear program and its implications on the security of the Gulf states...2005-2016, first edition, Germany, Berlin: Arab Democratic Center. [In Arabic].
The General Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones (2023), "Sultanate of Oman, Al-Wahajah Al-Ujah Al-Istthmaar" [report], visit date: April 2, 2023, website link.[In Arabic].
Vazarat Alalam (2009-2010), Yearbook, Sultanate of Oman.[In Arabic].
Walter, B (2016), History of Oman: Government, Politics, Economic, Society, Relation, Tourism, Digital Light Publishing.
Zulfiqari, Mehdi et al. (2019), "The effect of Oman's mediation diplomacy on the security system of the Middle East region", Islamic World Political Research, 10(3), pp. 169-195. [In Persian].