US and Israeli officials said White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of State Tony Blinken met with Oman Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad al-Busaidi last week to discuss the possibility of opening the Omani airspace to Israeli airlines, among other issues.
site transferAxiosAmerican and Israeli officials said the Biden administration has been trying since last July to persuade Omanis to open up the airspace to Israeli airlines.
The website says Omanis have several bilateral issues and demands from the United States they want in return, including initiating a strategic dialogue between the two countries that focuses on education, cultural exchange, trade, investment and renewable energy.
He added that during Oman’s foreign minister’s visit to Washington last week, this strategic dialogue was opened for the first time, during which several other issues were discussed, including Yemen and regional security.
US and Israeli officials hope progress made during the talks paves the way for Oman to open up its airspace to Israeli airlines, according to the site, which indicated the White House declined to comment while the Foreign Affairs Ministry of Oman did not respond to a request for comment.
Last July, Saudi Arabia gave Israeli airlines permission to use its airspace for eastbound flights to India and China.
However, the site indicated that without obtaining similar permission from Oman, the Saudi move becomes meaningless, because Israeli airlines subsequently have to cross Oman’s airspace.
Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Oman in 2018 and obtained a pledge from the late Sultan of Oman, Qaboos, to allow Israeli airlines to use Oman’s airspace, according to Axios, adding that after the Qaboos death, the current Sultan Haitham bin Tariq withdrew the move.
