Stratfor: Saudi Arabia, UAE force Oman to cut ties with Iran

Tehran, Sept 2, IRNA - US website Stratfor revealed that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are trying to exert pressure on Oman to cut its relations with Tehran The site wrote on Saturday that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are seeking to exert pressure on the Sultanate of Oman to change their stance on many issues and pursue policies in line with Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. The site added that despite the fact that Muscat is relinquishing existing strife between Persian Gulf states and the United States has also targeted Iran with economic sanctions, Saudi Arabia and the Emirates are aiming to exert pressure on Oman to get away from Iran. 'Of course, Muscat will use its broad and good relations with the international and regional powers to withstand these pressures,' Stratfor wrote. According to the report, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi tend to be more flexible towards their regional interests. They are pushing Oman to stop its trade with Iran, close any link with the Yemeni's Houthis and join to seizure of Qatar. According to this site, the United States, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have a lever to exert pressure on Oman; for example, to convince Washington that Muscat has the weakest role in the US strategy against Iran, allowing Tehran to use its territory to circumvent sanctions. If Riyadh and Abu Dhabi fail in this regard, they will use other ways, which could put pressure on Omani citizens and its active companies in the UAE, which is the largest trading partner of Oman.