The United States has long worked with Oman to protect the Strait of Hormuz, which is nestled between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman and is one of the world's most strategically significant naval choke points.

For its part, Oman plays a critical role in the stability of the region through its anti-piracy and anti-trafficking measures, and its ongoing commitment to supporting freedom of navigation in the strait.

With more than 200 years of diplomatic and economic history, the United States and Oman have one of the oldest relationships in the region, with the first treaty signed between the nations dating back to 1833.

While the United States and Oman cooperate on a wide variety of international issues, the mutual commitment to defense and to securing a peaceful and prosperous future for the Middle East undergirds the relationship.

The two nations signed an initial military cooperation agreement in 1980, making Oman the first Gulf state to sign a formal accord permitting the US military to use its facilities. The agreement was most recently renewed in 2010.

The relationship was further strengthened in 2014 with the signing of an Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement, which enables the United States and Oman to exchange logistical military support.

In 2019, the two countries inked a Strategic Framework Agreement that expanded US access to facilities and ports in the critical locations of Salalah and Duqm.

The United States also sells advanced weapon systems and security infrastructure to Oman to signal its enduring commitment to Oman's security within the region.

As of 2021, the United States maintained more than 70 active foreign military sales agreements with Oman valued at $2.7 billion.

Most recently, the US State Department approved in October a $70 million sale to Oman of 301 Tube-Launched, Optically-Tracked, Wireless-Guided (TOW) 2B Radio Frequency (RF) missiles (BGM-71F-7-RF).

The BGM-71 TOW missile is a guided anti-tank missile that serves anti-armor, anti-bunker, anti-fortification and anti-amphibious landing missions.

Over 927 members of the Omani Armed Forces have received military training in the United States since 2015.

Maritime security collaboration

The United States continually demonstrates its commitment to Oman's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security through its maintenance of security operations in the Strait of Hormuz.

Together, Oman and the United States have cooperated on anti-piracy and counter-trafficking measures around the key naval chokepoint.

They both serve as members of the Combined Maritime Force (CMF), a multinational naval partnership dedicated to fostering freedom of navigation, maritime safety, international cooperation, counterterrorism and counter-piracy.

Omani and US forces also regularly conduct joint exercises.

Oman in May 2023 led Khunjar Hadd, a five-day exercise that focused on combined naval operations as well as mine countermeasures, explosive ordnance disposal and maritime interdiction.

US, UK and French naval forces took part in the drills, which was aimed at strengthening relationships and enhancing interoperability among participating military forces.

The US and Omani militaries earlier in February 2023 also held Exercise Invincible Sentry, which was designed to enhance interoperability and cultivate cohesive responses in the face of evolving security challenges.

Invincible Sentry is a recurring exercise held with different partner nations each year to evaluate the readiness and capabilities of US and Omani forces responding to a regional emergency.

The 2023 exercise used a simulated transnational security crisis to validate Omani-US crisis-response planning and strengthen staff proficiency and execution in critical mission areas.

Such exercises "demonstrate the value of working together in unfamiliar environments and organizational interoperability, as well as working through combined command and control challenges, integrating systems, developing processes, and strengthening relationships and trust," US Central Command said in a statement.

Through ongoing military collaboration, the United States demonstrates its dedication to both a strong relationship with Oman and a stable Middle East.