cliff overlooking the Persian Gulf. Khasab has an interesting trading position, which hinges on its proximity to Iran. Iranians export sheep and goats into the local port, from where the animals are dispatched to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in trucks. On their return trip to the Islamic Republic, the sailors load their boats up with electronic goods and American cigarettes, arriving in Khasab after sunrise and leaving before sunset to conform with Omani immigration laws. Since the trading is illegal under Iranian law, they must avoid the Islamic Republic's coastguard as well as all other shipping in the busy waters of the Strait of Hormuz. The crossing is hazardous since the vessels, piled high either with livestock or with numerous boxes must avoid the path of the scores of oil-tankers which pass through the Strait in a transverse direction daily. Recent increases of United States' sanctions against Iran have increased the amount of smuggling done through Khasab. Tourism Boats from Khasab take tourists on trips to view the dolphins common in the waters around the Musandam, as well as to visit Telegraph Island, for a short time (between 1865 and 1868) the site of a staffed telegraph repeater station on the cable section between Bahrain and Bombay. Scuba Diving Scuba diving is relatively new in the region, most of the diving has based on the upper east coast of Musandam however a new operator to the area, Freestyle Divers, is researching sites closer to Khasab on the West side. Diving courses such as PADI open water course through to Dive Instructor courses are available at the dive Centre based at Atana Musandam in Khasab. The diving is variable regarding conditions, visibility and currents can be unpredictable so diving with local professionals is strongly advised. The underwater life can range from nudibranchs to black tip reef sharks, on a clear day many species of shoaling fish can be observed, cuttlefish, rays, in fact all species common to the Strait of Hormuz. Climate Khasab has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with very hot and humid summers and mild winters. Precipitation is low, and mostly falls from December to March. On 27 June 2011 Khasab Airport recorded the world calendar day highest minimum temperature of , until Death Valley, California, United States, broke the record by 0.5 °C (0.9 °F) on 12 July 2012. On 17 June