Oman and United States discuss military cooperation in Washington

Oman and the United States held the 18th meeting of the Joint Military Committee in Washington, D.C., to discuss enhancing military cooperation and mutual defense coordination. The Omani delegation was led by Dr. Mohammed bin Nasser Al Zaabi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Defense, while the U.S. delegation was headed by Michael Demino, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle Eastern Affairs.

During the visit, Dr. Al Zaabi met with senior officials from the U.S. Departments of Defense and State to review bilateral relations and shared interests. The Omani official also traveled to Arizona to meet with local officials to strengthen the existing partnership program between Oman and the state.

The meeting builds on a framework of increasing political and security cooperation, including a 2019 agreement that allows U.S. forces to utilize facilities at Omani ports and airports, such as the Port of Duqm. The two nations also launched their first strategic dialogue in November 2022, addressing regional issues including Yemen and Palestine.