Key development: Oman’s foreign minister met with US Secretary of State Vance today as tensions keep climbing across the Middle East.
Diplomacy
Oman’s foreign minister sat down with Secretary of State Vance in Washington. The timing is notable because Oman has historically served as a back channel between the US and Iran. (Al Jazeera)
Context: Oman helped broker the 2015 nuclear deal and has facilitated US-Iran communications in the past. This meeting occurred amid ongoing military incidents and diplomatic friction across the Middle East. No details on the substance of their discussion have been released.
Sources: Al Jazeera
What to watch: Whether Oman facilitates any direct or indirect talks between Washington and Tehran in the coming days.