Rouhani visit to Oman nullifies anti-Iran propaganda

A senior Iranian lawmaker says the visit by President Hassan Rouhani to Oman is useful in canceling out anti-Iran propaganda in the region.

“Currently some [countries] try to spread Iranophobia in the region; these sorts of trips can be influential in neutralizing these issues,” said deputy chairman of the National Security and Foreign Policy Committee of Iran’s Majlis Mansour Haqiqatpour on Wednesday.

Terming Rouhani’ visit as positive, the top lawmaker went on to say that the president’s trip contributes to the enhancement of Tehran’s ties.

“This trip will play a significant role in the expansion of Iran’s political and economic relations,” Haqiqatpour said.

Haqiqatpour also called for the further promotion of relations between Iran and other countries in the region, saying the Islamic Republic has always had good relations with Oman and “accordingly, we should try to prepare the ground to upgrade relations with Muscat, Doha, and Kuwait City.”

The Iranian president arrived in the Omani capital on Wednesday on a two-day visit at the invitation of Oman’s King Sultan Qaboos.

Oman is the first country in the Persian Gulf to be visited by President Rouhani after he assumed office in August.

The Omani Sultan Qaboos paid an official visit to Iran in late August 2013 as the first head of state to visit Tehran after President Rouhani was inaugurated in a ceremony on August 4.

Iran and Oman, which share control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, maintain cordial relations.