US Department of Defense                                                                                                                                                                13 March 2018

Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis met with Omani Sultan Qaboos yesterday at Bait al Barka Palace in Muscat to explore ways to further strengthen defense relationship. The two leaders discussed how to best achieve a resolution to the Yemeni civil war.

Oman contributes to regional security efforts by playing a key role in Gulf Cooperative Council counter-terrorism efforts and ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Secretary of Defense James N. Mattis also met with Omani Minister of Defense Al Busaidi yesterday in Oman to discuss bilateral defense ties and regional issues including the Yemeni civil war and GCC rift.

Secretary Mattis highlighted Oman's role as a vital regional security partner and explored new ways to strengthen our bilateral defense cooperation. The U.S.-Omani partnership is one of the oldest in the region, inaugurated by an 1833 treaty in support of friendship and navigation.

The U.S. and Oman have maintained close defense ties since signing a military cooperation agreement in 1980.