Arabic version: الملك يشيد بدبلوماسية عُمان بشأن مضيق هرمز

According to BBC News, King Charles praised Oman’s efforts to keep the Strait of Hormuz open while welcoming Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al Said at a state banquet in Windsor Castle.

In a speech to 160 guests, delivered in English with some Arabic quotations, the King described Oman’s “noble efforts in trying to keep open one of the world’s most important shipping routes”. He also praised the country’s diplomatic mediation in the conflict with Iran to establish “where common ground might be found”.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane close to the Omani coastline, has been effectively closed since the US and Israel launched wide-ranging strikes on Iran in February, killing the country’s supreme leader and sparking the ongoing Iran war. Responding to the King, the Sultan said Oman “seeks solutions… we believe in dialogue”.

The King and Queen hosted the banquet in St George’s Hall, joined by Prince William, Catherine and Princess Anne. The menu included Scottish langoustine and Cornish crab, Windsor pheasant with spiced quince, and baked Alaska. A non-alcoholic spiced coffee drink replaced the traditional banquet cocktail for the Muslim guests of honour.

On Wednesday, the Sultan is due to meet Prime Minister Andy Burnham at Downing Street, where they are expected to sign a deal to “accelerate mutual investment” between Oman and the UK. The Foreign Office said the agreement would bring more than £1bn of new investment and generate jobs and opportunities in both countries.