Biden thanks Omani leader for opening airspace to Israeli flights

US President Joe Biden thanks Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said for his decision last month to open his country’s airspace to Israeli airliners.

The topic comes up during a phone call that the two leaders held earlier today, according to a readout from the White House.

“The two leaders reaffirmed the longstanding historical ties between our countries and peoples, and discussed mutual efforts to forge a more prosperous, peaceful and integrated Middle East region,” the White House says.

Oman opening its airspace enables Israeli airlines to take advantage of a military move by Saudi Arabia and cut several hours of flying time to the Far East.

Biden thanks Sultan Haitham for his involvement in the UN-mediated true in Yemen and welcomes Oman’s efforts to secure the release of American citizens wrongfully detained in Iran, the US readout adds.