US concerns with Oman over financial ties to Iran

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Pompeo

The "real concerns" for US authorities over Oman arethe country's financial ties with Iran, including entities that were under USsanctions prior to the 2015 nuclear deal, according to a new report from theFoundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington DC-based policy institute.

Oman has historically been referred to as the "Switzerlandof the Middle East," having maintained a commitment to diplomacy throughout thelate Sultan Qaboos's reign, with a friendly relationship with Iran and analliance with the US as a trademark of its role in the region, the reportexplained. This position may no longer be tenable, however, as US policytowards Iran adjusts during the Donald Trump presidency, it added.

"American policymakers should be sympathetic as Oman adjuststo the diametrically opposing policies of the Trump and Obamaadministrations. However, Washington should also demand that Muscat shiftback to a truly neutral position on Iran, both politically and economically,"the report said.

According to a 2018 US Senate report, Omani banks assistedIran in gaining access to its foreign reserves while the 2015 nuclear deal,formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), was still ineffect. This raises "troubling questions" over Oman's efforts to financialassist Iran, the report said.

US policymakers should push Oman to take a genuinely neutralposition that no longer advocates for dialogue with Iran, the report said."Omani officials continue to insist that sanctions are the wrong policy andthat engagement with Iran is the best way forward. This is not a neutralposition. If anything, this is a policy that advocates for Iran's interests,"it said.

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