US President Joe Biden's administration welcomed Oman's decision to open its airspace to all airlines, including flights to and from Israel.
“Oman’s announcement promotes President Biden’s vision of a more integrated, stable and prosperous Middle East region, which is vital for the security and prosperity of the American people and our regional partners,” White House National Security Council spokeswoman Adrienne Watson said in a statement on Thursday.
She added that Washington engaged in “months of quiet diplomatic engagement” in the run-up to the decision, saying that Oman's announcement “completes a process begun last year” when Saudi Arabia made a similar move.
“We are particularly grateful for the long-standing partnership with Oman and the leadership of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq,” Ms Watson said.
Washington's support of the easing of Oman's airspace restrictions was bipartisan, and the Republican leader of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Mike McCaul tweeted that “this type of cross-regional progress is essential to countering shared threats”.
Oman does not have formal relations with Israel, and Muscat did not specifically mention the country in its announcement.
Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen thanked Sultan Haitham for the decision, which will allow airlines to offer shorter routes to Asia.
“It's a historic and significant decision for the Israeli economy and the Israeli traveller,” Mr Cohen said.
Expanding the establishment of formal relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours has been a top priority for the Biden White House, which stated in its annual National Security Strategy that it aims to widen the scope of the historic Abraham Accords.
At the beginning of the year, national security advisers from the UAE, Bahrain, the US and Israel promised enhanced regional integration and co-operation after multilateral talks.
6 UNDERGROUND
Director: Michael Bay
Stars: Ryan Reynolds, Adria Arjona, Dave Franco
2.5 / 5 stars
MATCH INFO
Barcelona 2
Suarez (10'), Messi (52')
Real Madrid 2
Ronaldo (14'), Bale (72')
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What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
RESULT
Al Hilal 4 Persepolis 0
Khribin (31', 54', 89'), Al Shahrani 40'
Red card: Otayf (Al Hilal, 49')
Brief scoreline:
Crystal Palace 2
Milivojevic 76' (pen), Van Aanholt 88'
Huddersfield Town 0
Januzaj's club record
Manchester United 50 appearances, 5 goals
Borussia Dortmund (loan) 6 appearances, 0 goals
Sunderland (loan) 25 appearances, 0 goals
