Oman and Japan want to start talking to calm things down in the Middle East. They think that making sure the seas are safe in the Strait of Hormuz is very important to finding a solution to the problems.
The Foreign Minister of Oman Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi talked to the Foreign Minister in Muscat. He said that the Middle East is very important to both Oman and Japan.
Japan needs oil and gas from the Middle East so it wants to make sure that these things can be transported without any problems.
Oman is in a position because it is located near the Strait of Hormuz which is a narrow waterway that many oil and gas ships pass through to get to other parts of the world.
Oman and Japan are concerned about the safety of these ships and the Middle East tensions so they are calling for efforts to resolve the issues.
Oman and Japan believe that finding a solution to the problems in the Middle East will help to keep the sea routes, in the Strait of Hormuz safe.
Sayyid Badr reaffirmed the Sultanate’s commitment to protecting freedom of navigation and preventing further escalation, arguing that lasting stability in the Strait can only be achieved through restraint, sustained diplomatic engagement and addressing the root causes of regional instability.
He noted Oman has kept up consultations with regional and international partners on navigation arrangements that align with international law, and pledged continued coordination with Tokyo and other partners to pursue dialogue and peaceful solutions.
The Japanese foreign minister struck a more urgent tone on Iran, describing the situation as having entered a “very critical phase” and voicing hope for talks that could quickly ease tensions.
He also stressed the need to protect shipping lanes through both the Strait of Hormuz and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait, and called for tighter coordination between Tokyo and Muscat on maritime security.
Beyond security, economic cooperation dominated much of the discussion. Sayyid Badr welcomed rising Japanese investment in Oman’s energy, renewables, logistics and infrastructure sectors, and voiced hope for a swift conclusion to free trade talks between Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which he said could strengthen supply chains and boost investment on both sides.
For its part, Tokyo praised Oman’s reliability as a long-term supplier of crude oil and liquefied natural gas, and confirmed it is preparing a broader cooperation package to bolster economic resilience and energy security amid the regional turmoil, including expanded work on hydrogen and ammonia.
