Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian (R) meets with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa al-Harthy, the Omani Foreign Ministry’s under-secretary for diplomatic affairs, in Tehran on December 25, 2021. (Photo by IRNA)

The Islamic Republic is committed to dialog and adoption of political solutions to resolve regional problems, Iran’s foreign minister says, underlining Tehran’s readiness to hold talks with regional countries to boost bilateral ties.

Hossein Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with Sheikh Khalifa bin Ali bin Issa al-Harthy, the Omani Foreign Ministry’s under-secretary for diplomatic affairs, in Tehran on Saturday.

Amir-Abdollahian said improving and expanding relations with neighboring countries is Ebrahim Raeisi administration’s foreign policy priority, noting that Iran attaches great importance to its ties with Oman as a neighbor.

He also underscored the need for bilateral efforts to enhance the volume of trade between the two countries so that it reaches the level of friendly relations between the two sides.

Elsewhere in his remarks, the top Iranian diplomat expressed hope that the efforts made by all regional countries, especially Iran and Oman, would pave the way for an end to the Yemeni crisis.

For his part, al-Harthy also hoped that the Yemeni crisis would end as soon as possible, adding that his country welcomes peaceful, diplomatic ways to reduce regional issues.

The Omani diplomat is in Iran for a meeting of the Iran-Oman joint strategic consultative committee.

In recent years, Iran has sought to expand its trade relations with regional countries, defying US plots to isolate the country through sanctions.

The Raeisi administration has especially focused on developing closer relations with neighboring countries.

Trade between Tehran and Muscat has steadily increased in 2021.

Meanwhile, Iran and Oman held a joint military drill in the Strait of Hormuz and the Sea of Oman earlier this month, with Iranian Navy Chief Rear Admiral Shahram Irani praising the two country’s stable relations.