Zarif, Omani counterpart discuss bilateral issues of interst

At the meeting, the two sides discussed joint cooperation between Iran and Oman in various fields and ways of strengthening it.

Zarif and bin-Alawi also exchanged views on the latest regional and international issues

The meeting was attended by a number of Iranian and Omani officials.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has described Iran-Oman relations as exemplary, saying Tehran and Muscat are keen to expand relations in various fields to contribute to regional and international peace and security.

The visit, which was followed by a Marcjh trip to Tehran by Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah, came as Iran vowed to defeat US efforts to block its oil exports and warned rival producer Saudi Arabia it would never take Tehran's "place" on the international oil market.

Speaking on Sunday at a ceremony marking the National Day of Industry and Mining, Iran's First Vice president Eshaq Jahangiri said: "We will surely do something to thwart the US rallying cry that Iranian oil (exports) must be stemmed."

Jahangiri added  "Anyone who knows anything about international trade , and the energy market, realizes that the Americans have set themselves an impossible target.  In an energy-hungry world, it is unrealistic to expect  that countries won't  buy Iranian crude oil. We are confident that "friendly nations" will continue to buy Iranian crude oil , as they are currently doing."

Iran will allow private companies to export crude oil to help beat U.S. sanctions, Iran's First Vice president added.

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