Live updates: US, Iran exchange new strikes, testing fragile ceasefire

US President Donald Trump’s threat to “blow up” Oman has confounded observers across the political spectrum in Washington, targeting one of the US’s oldest Arab allies.

Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world and was the first Gulf Arab country to formalize relations with the United States in 1833. Over the past 15 years, Muscat has negotiated prisoner releases with Iran on behalf of Washington and hosted behind-the-scenes talks between the two adversaries. Amid Cold War tensions and following the Iranian Revolution of 1979, Oman became the first Gulf state to enter into a military access agreement with the United States in 1980.

Nicknamed the “Switzerland of the Middle East,” Muscat has long pursued a fiercely independent foreign policy, shaped by its history and geography. Its strategic location on the Arabian Sea and its partial control of the Strait of Hormuz helped make it a regional power in the 19th century, with one of the most formidable navies in the region. But his position has also exposed him to repeated invasions and interference by regional powers, notably the Persians and Saudis, as well as foreign-backed insurgencies at home.

Muscat’s relations with Iran were historically cordial but cautious. Unlike some neighboring Gulf states that have become hubs for Iranian business and migration, Oman has maintained a calmer relationship with Tehran, largely focused on diplomacy, helping to establish the country as a trusted intermediary between the two adversaries.

But Oman’s delicate balancing act has become more complicated this year. A day before the US-Israeli attack on Iran in February, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyed Badr Albusaidi – who had mediated talks between Tehran and Washington – appeared on US television, insisting that negotiations had made “substantial progress” and that a deal was “within reach”.

Since the start of the conflict, Oman has become one of the region’s fiercest critics of the war, with Albusaidi warning that Washington had “lost control of its own foreign policy.” Throughout the fighting, Muscat remained engaged alongside Iran, the United States and regional powers in efforts to revive diplomacy, even as war-related strikes hit Omani territory – making Trump’s public threats against Oman all the more extraordinary.

What Are The Main Benefits Of Comparing Car Insurance Quotes Online

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 24, 2020, / Compare-autoinsurance.Org has launched a new blog post that presents the main benefits of comparing multiple car insurance quotes. For more info and free online quotes, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/the-advantages-of-comparing-prices-with-car-insurance-quotes-online/ The modern society has numerous technological advantages. One important advantage is the speed at which information is sent and received. With the help of the internet, the shopping habits of many persons have drastically changed. The car insurance industry hasn't remained untouched by these changes. On the internet, drivers can compare insurance prices and find out which sellers have the best offers. View photos The advantages of comparing online car insurance quotes are the following: Online quotes can be obtained from anywhere and at any time. Unlike physical insurance agencies, websites don't have a specific schedule and they are available at any time. Drivers that have busy working schedules, can compare quotes from anywhere and at any time, even at midnight. Multiple choices. Almost all insurance providers, no matter if they are well-known brands or just local insurers, have an online presence. Online quotes will allow policyholders the chance to discover multiple insurance companies and check their prices. Drivers are no longer required to get quotes from just a few known insurance companies. Also, local and regional insurers can provide lower insurance rates for the same services. Accurate insurance estimates. Online quotes can only be accurate if the customers provide accurate and real info about their car models and driving history. Lying about past driving incidents can make the price estimates to be lower, but when dealing with an insurance company lying to them is useless. Usually, insurance companies will do research about a potential customer before granting him coverage. Online quotes can be sorted easily. Although drivers are recommended to not choose a policy just based on its price, drivers can easily sort quotes by insurance price. Using brokerage websites will allow drivers to get quotes from multiple insurers, thus making the comparison faster and easier. For additional info, money-saving tips, and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ Compare-autoinsurance.Org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. "Online quotes can easily help drivers obtain better car insurance deals. All they have to do is to complete an online form with accurate and real info, then compare prices", said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director of Internet Marketing Company. CONTACT: Company Name: Internet Marketing CompanyPerson for contact Name: Gurgu CPhone Number: (818) 359-3898Email: [email protected]: https://compare-autoinsurance.Org/ SOURCE: Compare-autoinsurance.Org View source version on accesswire.Com:https://www.Accesswire.Com/595055/What-Are-The-Main-Benefits-Of-Comparing-Car-Insurance-Quotes-Online View photos