Although international observers name Oman as the next Gulf state to sign a peace pact with Israel, Omani political analysts have thrown this possibility into doubt, citing the longstanding relations between Muscat and Tehran as well as the still unresolved Palestinian issue.
The Sultanate of Oman is one of the few Gulf states that has praised Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates' normalisation deals with israel. On Tuesday, an Omani representative was also expected to arrive in Washington for the signing ceremony presided over by Donald Trump.
“The Sultanate welcomes the initiative taken by the Kingdom of Bahrain within the framework of its sovereign rights and the Tripartite Joint Declaration on Relations with Israel”, a statement announced by Oman's state broadcaster on Sunday said, as quoted by The Times of israel.
In late August, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a stop in Muscat to meet with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said to “build on the historic momentum to advance regional peace and prosperity”, according to the State Department's website. In mid-August, Israel's Intelligence Minister Eli Cohen dropped a hint that Oman may follow the UAE's lead while speaking on the nationwide Israeli radio network Galei Tzahal (Army Radio).
Oman Has Its Own Vision of Achieving Peace in Mideast
While The Times of Israel remarks that Oman is seen by many “as another Arab country that could soon announce…
