Washington, US – Oman and the United States discussed security assistance and military cooperation under a Joint Military Commission (JMC) meeting held at the Pentagon on March 23-24.

The JMC is the premier bilateral forum for senior US and Omani government and defence officials to discuss military cooperation, and to advance the Oman-US defence relationship.

The Omani delegation was led by H E Dr Mohammed bin Nasser al Za’abi, Secretary General at the Ministry of Defence, and Dana Stroul, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for the Middle East.

According to the US Department of Defence, Dana and H E Za’abi reaffirmed the strength of the US-Oman strategic partnership. The delegations conferred on a broad range of security challenges throughout the region, including maritime and border security threats as well as Iran’s activities in the region.

Omani and US participants also discussed the conflict in Yemen, continuing efforts to combat violent extremist organisations, and ways to grow the defence partnership over the coming years, including strengthening air and missile defence and bolstering maritime security.

The JMC included sessions on security assistance, military operations and military agreements, and strategic initiatives.

The US delegation expressed gratitude for Oman’s continued support for safe and secure US military access in Oman. Both sides agreed on the importance of continuing to advance the US-Oman defence and security partnership through joint training, exercises, and working together to expand regional cooperation to address shared threats.

H E Za’abi also met Bonnie Jenkins, US Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, on Thursday. The meeting discussed the advanced relations between the two countries and means of enhancing them to serve the joint interests of both sides.

It was attended by H E Moosa Hamdan al Tai, Ambassador of Oman to the US, and the Military Attaché at Oman’s Embassy in Washington.