[Oman and Qatar Discuss Strengthening Cooperation] According to the Oman News Agency, Oman and Qatar have discussed strengthening cooperation in commerce, industry, and investment. The report also stated that the two sides explored new prospects for establishing partnerships in several areas of common concern. Oman and Iran have been negotiating for weeks on how to jointly manage the crucial Strait of Hormuz shipping lanes. Qatar is a key behind-the-scenes mediator between the United States and Iran and played a crucial role in facilitating a memorandum of understanding in June. This memorandum briefly led to a cessation of hostilities between the two sides, but the agreement has since expired.
