In a meeting with the Commander of the Royal Army of Oman, Major General Matar bin Salim bin Rashid al Balushi, Major General Mohammad Hossein Baqeri, Chief of Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, criticized the presence of foreign military troops in the Persian Gulf region. He emphasized the importance of Persian Gulf governments working together to ensure the security of the region. General Baqeri stated, "We believe that the security of the Persian Gulf region must be provided through interaction and cooperation among the regional countries." He expressed confidence in the ability of the nations in the Persian Gulf to maintain regional security without the involvement of foreign forces. Highlighting the operational, intelligence, and training capabilities of the armed forces of Iran and Oman, General Baqeri stressed that mutual experience-sharing between the two nations would contribute to improving regional security.
He also extended an invitation to Omani naval forces to participate in the Marine Security Belt naval exercises, while commending Oman's regional initiatives. The Omani commander, General Salim bin Rashid al Balushi, called for the strengthening of military ties between Tehran and Muscat. He emphasized the significance of communication and connectivity between Oman and Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. In April 2019, high-level military officials from Iran and Oman signed a memorandum of understanding to expand military cooperation, and the two countries have conducted joint naval exercises in recent years. General Baqeri condemned the presence of foreign troops in the region and asserted that collaboration between Iran and Oman would enhance regional security, demonstrating that external intervention is unnecessary. General Baqeri also recognized the changing global dynamics, including the shift of power from the West to Asia, and highlighted the need for closer military cooperation to maintain security in key areas such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Sea of Oman, and the northwestern regions of the Indian Ocean. Regarding Oman's foreign policy towards the Yemen issue, General Baqeri praised the country's sensible approach and called for further efforts to establish a fair peace and protect Yemen's territorial integrity. He emphasized the importance of working towards a just resolution in the Yemen conflict.
