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Iran appears to have resumed its campaign of striking tankers in the Gulf of Oman, after the Bahrain-based US Naval Forces Central Command (Navcent) reported that the Pacific Zircon oil products tanker had been struck by an Iranian-made explosive drone off Fujairah, en route to Argentina.

The United States has approved a $385m sale of joint stand-off weapons to Oman. The package of 48 glide bombs for the Royal Air Force of Oman is being supplied by Raytheon Missiles and Defense Company.

Sohar International Bank announced a binding merger deal with HSBC Oman on 16 November. Sohar will take over HSBC Oman’s assets, with the latter’s shareholders paid in cash and Sohar shares.

Oman’s Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said made a relatively rare trip within the region in October, travelling to Bahrain for talks with King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa. The two rulers witnessed the signing of several agreements, including ones on co-operation in security, transport, tourism, education and other areas.

UAE President Mohammed Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan (MBZ) paid a two-day visit to Muscat, where he met Oman's Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said. In a joint statement afterwards, the leaders said they held "fruitful talks". One of the main developments was the revival of plans for a cross-border rail link.

Diplomat Sayyid Nizar Al-Julanda Majid Al-Said has been named as Oman’s new ambassador to Italy, replacing Ahmed Salim Mohammed Ba’Omar.

GSN Risk Grade – B3 Hydrocarbons windfall improves rating: Oman is expected to be among the region’s main beneficiaries from elevated oil prices in 2022-23. Along with reforms introduced on Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said’s watch, this feeds into an improved economic outlook.

Oman’s Ministry of Energy and Minerals signed an exploration and production-sharing agreement on 16 September for onshore Block 11 with operator Shell (67.5% equity), TotalEnergies (22.5%) and state-owned OQ (10%).

Ammonia production has started at a facility developed by state-owned OQ in Oman's Dhofar.  Asian markets are a key export target.

Sweden’s Maha Energy has sold a 35% stake in its exploration and production sharing agreement for onshore Block 70 to Oman's local Mafraq Energy.

Oman's Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said arrived back in Muscat, following a month-long visit to Europe. He has kept a low profile since his return, with no major official engagements.

Oman drew an audience of international oil companies and others to an event at London’s Mansion House in late July to push green hydrogen (GH2) and other ‘future fuels’ projects.

The visit of Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) commander Lieutenant General Prince Turki Bin Bandar Bin Abdelaziz to Muscat follows that of several other senior Saudi military officials to Oman in recent months.

Sultan Haitham Bin Tariq Al-Said oversaw the passing out of officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS), the British Army’s officer training centre south-west of London, on 23 July. He watched his son, heir apparent and culture, sports and youth minister Seyyid Theyazin Bin Haitham, pass out from RMAS’ eight-week Commissioning Course Short 222.

Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) commander Rear Admiral Saif Bin Nasser Al-Rahbi travelled to Tehran for talks with his Iranian counterparts including Islamic Republic of Iran Armed Forces (Artesh) chief of staff General Mohammad Hossein Baqer.