Joint Statement on the third U.S. Oman Strategic Dialogue

The following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Sultanate of Oman on the occasion of the Third U.S.-Oman Strategic Dialogue:

Sheikh Khalifa al-Harthy, Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the Foreign Ministry of Oman, welcomed Allison Hooker, Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs at the U.S. Department of State  and the accompanying U.S. delegation to Muscat, Oman, on January 25, 2026, for the third Strategic Dialogue between the Sultanate of Oman and the United States.

The United States and Omani delegations reaffirmed the strength of the U.S.-Oman partnership, one of the oldest in the Middle East, grounded in mutual respect, shared interests, and a longstanding commitment to regional peace, stability, and prosperity. Both sides underscored the importance of regular strategic dialogue as a platform for candid exchange, cooperation, and coordinated efforts on regional and global challenges.

The Strategic Dialogue advanced the shared U.S. Oman commitment to supporting peace through diplomacy and dialogue, including efforts to reduce regional tensions and promote regional security.

In recognition of the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, the delegations signed a Statement of Cooperation to celebrate Freedom 250, honouring more than two centuries of friendship and partnership. Both sides will pursue deeper bilateral cooperation in education and higher education, including academic partnerships and research collaboration, and agreed to organise a Knowledge Dialogue Forum to further explore cooperation with American universities on in-country educational programs and research.

The delegations welcomed the enduring benefits of the U.S. Oman Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for U.S. and Omani companies, which conducted approximately $3.3 billion in trade in 2025, and applauded the resumption of regular sessions of the FTA Joint Committee in December 2024.

Both delegations noted the opening of the Oman Trade Office in the United States in 2025 and emphasised the importance of expanding two-way trade and investment to strengthen the U.S. economy and support Oman’s Vision 2040 goals.  The delegations also took note of an MOU signed between the U.S. embassy and the American Chamber of Commerce of Oman that will further cooperation and exchange of business opportunities to the mutual benefit of the United States and Oman.

The delegations discussed opportunities to deepen commercial ties in sectors that strengthen Oman’s growing role in regional connectivity, including the logistics, aviation, and infrastructure sectors. The two sides committed to proactive government-to-government engagement to expand opportunities for U.S. companies and to facilitate investment.

Both countries welcomed Oman’s intention to accede to the Artemis Accords during the opening day of the Middle East Space Conference in Muscat, underscoring shared commitments to the peaceful, transparent, and responsible exploration and use of outer space. The two sides expressed interest in renewing cooperation under the U.S. Oman Science and Technology Agreement.

The delegations discussed opportunities to strengthen secure, high-standard critical minerals supply chains, including Oman’s growing role in mining and mineral processing. The two sides also welcomed progress on a U.S. Oman Critical Minerals Framework and looked forward to concluding it in the near term.

Both delegations underscored that trustworthy digital infrastructure is essential to economic growth, national security, and responsible AI development. They affirmed their intent to deepen collaboration between U.S. companies and Oman’s technology sector to attract U.S. investment and to facilitate regular, direct channels of engagement between U.S. firms and Oman’s strategic economic sectors. They emphasised the importance of sharing updates on emerging energy sectors and technologies and of identifying opportunities for further U.S-Oman collaboration.

The delegations welcomed advancements in building relationships between U.S. states and Oman, including a mutual intention to finalise a Sister Port MOU between the State of Louisiana and the Port of Duqm.  This framework would promote and expand effective and mutually beneficial cooperation to enhance commercial exchanges and economic development in the Port of Duqm and the Ports of Louisiana. The delegations also recognised the growing ties between Oman and the U.S. state of Arizona, through the State Partnership Programme, and agreed to continue to foster this subnational relationship.

The delegations discussed expanding exchange opportunities, including BridgeUSA programmes that connect Omani talent to American experiences.  The two sides also reviewed cooperation on museums and cultural heritage with the aim of enhancing such collaboration.

Oman and the United States concluded the Third Strategic Dialogue with a shared commitment to deepen their partnership across the political, economic, and cultural fields and affirmed their determination to build a more secure, prosperous, and peaceful future for the region and beyond.

This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.