Russia and Oman Express Concern Over Rising Tensions Around Iran, Call to ‘Stop External Interference’

Moscow/Muscat, January 17. Against the backdrop of increasing deadlock and the challenge of international intervention in the West Asian region, Russia and Oman have signaled an understanding of each other’s geopolitical positions and a commitment to continue joint efforts for regional peace.

From early morning, a telephone conversation took place between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, where priority was given to the tensions around Iran, said to be fueled by external powers. Both sides warned that this tension carries the risk of escalating into a large-scale regional conflict.

In the talks, both ministers emphasized the need to prevent such a negative scenario. They stressed that interference in the internal affairs of any sovereign state, which is a clear violation of the fundamental tenets of the UN Charter, must cease.

The situation in Yemen was also a focal point for both leaders. They agreed on the need to intensify collective efforts to create favourable conditions for launching a broad intra-Yemeni dialogue under UN auspices, with the participation of interested countries in the region.

Another significant aspect of the conversation was bilateral relations. Discussions were also held on various practical aspects of developing multifaceted Russia-Oman relations, based on agreements following the summit talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said in Moscow in April 2025. This indicates the continuity of strategic cooperation between the two countries.

This conversation is not merely a bilateral discussion; it sends a message that even two countries with different alignments can find shared concern and consensus for regional stability amidst increasing geopolitical polarization in the world today. The fact that a neutral mediator like Oman and a major power like Russia expressed shared concern over complex issues like Iran and Yemen strengthens the perception that a solution to these problems is only possible through diplomatic channels. Furthermore, the effort to advance bilateral progress since the April 2025 summit talks at the telephone level demonstrates both nations’ desire to maintain their active role and shared interests in Asian geopolitics.