Sultanate has `` cordial '' relations with U.S. , Iran . It also buys U.S. military hardware , such as F-16s . Omani sources helped win the release of Sarah Shourd last year . Omanis want to avoid `` heated atmospherics , '' official says . The United States and Oman have been at odds over a number of issues in recent years including Iran's nuclear program and its support for militant groups like Al Qaeda and Hamas.
Sultanate has `` cordial '' relations with U.S. , Iran . Omani sources helped win the release of Sarah Shourd last year . Omanis want to avoid `` heated atmospherics , '' official says . The United States and Oman have been at odds over a number of issues in recent years including Iran's nuclear program and its support for militant groups like Al Qaeda and Hamas.