Oman's sultan discusses military cooperation with Russian security chief

Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq has convened with Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu in Muscat to advance bilateral security and military cooperation. Thursday's high-level discussions centered on reinforcing joint efforts to maintain regional stability and developing concrete agreements for technical military collaboration between the two nations.

High-Level Diplomatic Exchange

The Russian security chief delivered a personal communication from President Vladimir Putin to the Omani leader, though the specific contents of the message remain undisclosed. Shoigu's visit to Oman represents part of a broader regional diplomatic tour that previously included stops in Egypt, where he met with President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and National Security Adviser Faiza Abou el-Naga to discuss similar security cooperation initiatives.

Regional Security Implications

The Muscat meetings underscore Russia's continuing efforts to expand its strategic partnerships throughout the Middle East amid evolving regional security dynamics. Oman has historically maintained balanced diplomatic relations with both Western powers and Eastern partners, with these latest discussions signaling potential deepening of Moscow's security engagement with Gulf Cooperation Council member states.

Technical Military Cooperation

Russian media outlets reported that Shoigu emphasized the importance of reaching specific, actionable agreements during technical military cooperation discussions. The secretary's three-day official visit to Oman, which began Tuesday, focused on developing strategic projects and enhancing security coordination between Russian and Omani defense establishments.