Iran’s Rouhani hopes for boosting ties with Oman under new sultan

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has congratulated Haitham bin Tariq al-Said over his appointment as the new ruler of Oman, expressing hope for the expansion of bilateral ties between Tehran and Muscat.

News ID: 448476

Date: 14 January 2020 - 11:24

RNA - In a congratulatory note on Monday, Rouhani expressed felicitations to Haitham as the Sultan of Oman following the death of his cousin Sultan Qaboos bin Said al-Said.

“Ties between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the sultanate of Oman were founded on mutual trust at the time of the late Sultan Qaboos, and I hope that bilateral relations will expand during your tenure with tact and discretion and more than ever before in all areas,” the Iranian president said.

In his message, Rouhani also wished health and prosperity for Haitham and asked God glory and dignity for the people in the sultanate of Oman.

Haitham, who has served as Oman's minister of heritage and culture, was sworn in as the new ruler of the Arab country after Sultan Qaboos, the Arab world's longest-serving ruler, died at the age of 79 on Friday.

In his first address to the nation, Haitham vowed to uphold the Persian Gulf country's foreign policy, which he said was built on "peaceful coexistence" and friendly ties with all nations.

The new sultan further promised to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor and "remain guided by his wisdom into the future, and preserve … the achievements he made."

Muscat announced three days of national mourning after the death of Sultan Qaboos.

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