The official ceremony started at Sa’dabad Cultural Complex in Tehran on Sunday after the national anthems of the two countries were played and the two sides reviewed a guard of honor.

The Iranian president and Omani ruler are scheduled to hold official talks about ways to further expand bilateral relations as well as major regional and international issues.

The Omani delegation was welcomed by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif upon its arrival at Tehran’s Mehrabad International Airport on Sunday.

Sultan Qaboos is accompanied by top Omani officials, including Oman’s ministers of Royal Office, Diwan of Royal Court, Foreign Affairs as well as Oil and Gas, and his top advisor.

The Omani delegation will stay in Tehran until Tuesday due to the importance of the visit.

According to Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Araqchi, Sultan Qaboos is also expected to meet with Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei.

“Economic cooperation and issues pertaining to the energy sector will be the main focus of … talks and negotiations…,” Araqchi said.

Regional developments, including the ongoing crises in Egypt and Syria are among other issues to be discussed during the visit, the Iranian diplomat added.

The Omani Sultan is the first head of state to visit Tehran since Rouhani took office on August 4, 2013.

Iran and Oman, which share control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz, maintain cordial relations.

According to a June 16 interview by director of the Trade Promotion Organization of Iran for Persian Gulf Farzad Piltan, the volume of trade transactions between Tehran and Muscat stands at $250 million.

On May 28, Iran and Oman commemorated the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral relations during a ceremony at the Iranian Foreign Ministry in Tehran.

HH/HH