IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISIT TO MUSCAT (JULY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000536 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/21/2018 TAGS: PREL KNNP MNUC IR MU SUBJECT: IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER VISIT TO MUSCAT (JULY 16-17) REF: MUSCAT 445 Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo for Reasons 1.4 (b, d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Iranian Foreign Minister Manoucher Mottaki made a brief visit to Muscat on July 16 for talks with Omani Minister Responsible for Foreign Affairs Yusef bin Alawi. Mottaki reportedly did not meet with other senior Omani officials. While in Oman, Mottaki granted a press interview to a local Arabic-language daily in which he sought to put a positive spin on negotiations between Tehran and the P5 plus 1 and avoided harsh criticism of the U.S. End Summary. ¶2. (U) Iranian FM Mottaki arrived in Muscat in the early evening of July 16 for an overnight visit to meet with Omani FM bin Alawi. Local press reported that the two ministers discussed "joint cooperation in political and economic fields," as well as "the current situation in the Iranian nuclear file, Iraq and the Middle East." There was no official statement following the talks and, according to the media, Mottaki did not meet with any senior Omani officials outside the MFA. ¶3. (U) Before departing Oman on July 17 for Damascus, Mottaki answered questions on a number of topics in a press interview with independent Arabic-language daily "Al-Shabiba." Asked about his "surprise" visit to Muscat, Mottaki responded that his trip should be seen in the context of a "regular exchange of visits between the two countries" during which "we review bilateral relations and discuss the latest developments in the region." Mottaki added that he also discussed Iran's relations with the GCC, noting that Oman would head the next GCC summit, as well as Omani-Iranian "cooperation in the field of gas." ¶4. (U) On the meeting between Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili and P5 plus 1 representatives scheduled for July 20 in Geneva, Mottaki stated that he hoped there would be "new ideas" raised during the talks, which he expected to be "fruitful and constructive." He remarked that Iran had "studied the suggestions" made by EU High Representative Javier Solana in Tehran while presenting the updated P5 plus 1 package of incentives, but gave no indication of how Iran might respond to the package. When asked if Iran would continue to refuse suspending its nuclear enrichment activities, Mottaki side-stepped the question, saying that the talks in Switzerland would "deal with many issues" and that negotiators should seek "common ground" between the two sides. ¶5. (U) Regarding a possible U.S. or Israeli military strike against Iran, Mottaki stated that "all parties" are pursuing a diplomatic resolution to contentious issues and that he did not believe that "the other side" was heading in the direction of a military confrontation. He expounded, however, that Iran was ready for "all scenarios" and that "a militaristic threat" would be responded to in-kind as Iranian leaders have a "great responsibility ... to defend our homeland." ¶6. (U) Mottaki praised the "Lebanese resistance" for Israel's recent release of Lebanese prisoners and for "freeing most Lebanese territories." "Releasing (Palestinian) prisoners and liberating the Palestinian territories must also be made by applying pressure on the Zionist regime," he stated. Mottaki called upon the United Nations and Lebanese officials to "do their best" to provide information on the fate of four Iranian diplomats kidnapped in Lebanon, adding that "we think the Zionist regime is behind this crime." ¶7. (U) Asked about the idea of the U.S. opening an Interests Section in Tehran, Mottaki replied that such a proposal "could be discussed between both sides." He claimed that Iran was "witnessing increasing interest by intellectual and prominent figures from the U.S. in visiting Iran," and commented that Iran was keen to facilitate such visits, including through the establishment of direct air links between the two countries. Regarding the upcoming U.S. presidential elections, Mottaki stated that "no matter who wins the U.S. presidency," the U.S. "must learn a lesson ... and establish fair relations with other countries." He further remarked that "it makes no difference (to us) who wins in the U.S. elections - we have tried them all from the different parties over the past 30 years." ¶8. (C) Comment: Mottaki's visit is yet another indication of Tehran's efforts to strengthen its bilateral relationship with Oman (reftel). Despite being given plenty of opportunity in his interview to lambaste the U.S., Mottaki chose to soft-pedal (at least by Iranian standards) his MUSCAT 00000536 002 OF 002 criticism of American policies and the current administration. It is noteworthy that Mottaki granted an exclusive press interview to an independent Omani daily, rather than one of the state-owned papers. Mottaki was likely steered towards "Al-Shabiba" by Omani officials because the interviewing journalist, Mohammed al-Balushi (a graduate of the Department's Edward R. Murrow Journalism Program),is recognized as one of Oman's most credible reporters and known for his interviews of visiting U.S. officials. End Comment. 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