Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi is paying his first state visit to Oman at the invitation of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq. The much-discussed Iran-Oman gas line has made headlines again during his visit.

The proposed pipeline will carry Iranian gas through the bottom of the sea to neighboring Oman. On May 21, Iran’s state-run news agency IRNA quoted Reuters as saying.

Iran, one of the world’s top gas reserves, wants to supply gas to neighboring Arab countries’ energy-based industries and export-oriented LNG plants, the report said. According to IRNA, today (May 23) Iranian President Ibrahim Raisi is leaving for Oman. Earlier, Iranian Oil Minister Javed Ouji visited Oman and spoke about the resumption of the pipeline project. He also told the media that both the parties have agreed on this initiative.
Iran-Oman signed an agreement in 2013 to launch the 60 billion project. The agreement calls for the pipeline to be taken under the sea. In 2016, the country tried to implement 2 projects. The following year the pipeline was rerouted.
Shortly afterwards, however, the project was halted due to US pressure on Oman and differences over gas prices. Then, in 2016, the then Trump administration pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal and imposed new sanctions on the Gulf stateAfter Joe Biden came to power, Washington resumed talks in Vienna with the world’s most powerful nations to restore that agreement. Negotiations stalled shortly before the Russian aggression on Ukraine began in February. This long-lost project could be revived in the midst of a global energy crisis.

During his visit to Oman, President Rice will lead a high-level delegation. The delegation will work to strengthen Iran’s trade, cultural and political ties with Oman. The Iranian president is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Sultan of Oman at Al-Alam Palace in Oman. There he will also meet with the country’s business leaders and expatriate Iranians. During his visit to Oman, President Rice is expected to sign a number of bilateral agreements.