Oman–Turkey relations are the foreign relations between Oman and Turkey. Turkey's historic relationship with Oman has wavered between friendly indifference and courtship, but mutual differences were set aside in 2002 when the new Turkish government embraced a policy of engagement with Oman.
Turkey formally recognized Oman in 1970, which declared its independence the same year and diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1973. The two countries collaborated in their support for the 1979 Camp David Accords and were among the four majority-Muslim states that did not break relations with Egypt after the signing of the Egyptian-Israeli Peace Treaty in 1979.Hürsoy, S. (2013). Turkey's Foreign Policy and Economic Interests in the Gulf. Turkish Studies, 14(3, Autumn), 503–519.
Following the elimination of Iraq as a counterweight to Iran after the 2003 invasion of Iraq, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Oman, has fostered stronger ties with Turkey in an attempt to enhance GCC security.
Recently, both countries have been the targets of hostile UAE spying:
In December 2010, Oman discovered a spy network operated by the United Arab Emirates which collected information on Oman's military and government. They were reportedly interested in who would replace Qaboos as his heir and about Oman's relations with Iran.
In 2019, it was reported that Project Raven, a UAE clandestine surveillance and hacking operation targeting other governments, militants, and human rights activists critical of the UAE monarchy, specifically targeted Oman and Turkey, succeeded in hacking a device belonging to Yusuf bin Alawi, the Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs. UAE used cyber super-weapon to spy on iPhones of foes, by Joel Schectman and Christopher Bing, January 30, 2019, ReutersInside the UAE's secret hacking team of American mercenaries, by Christopher Bing and Joel Schectman, January 30, 2019, Reuters
Historical background
Oman was controlled by the Seljuk Empire 1000-1054Uzi Rabi. Emergence of States in a Tribal Society: Oman Under Sa'Id Bin Taymur. Emergence of States in a Tribal Society: Oman Under Sa'Id Bin Taymur. and after a period of Portuguese colonization, Oman became part of the Ottoman Empire following the recapture of Muscat in 1552 until 1698.Holt, Peter Malcolm; Lambton, Ann K. S. and Lewis, Bernard (1977) The Cambridge history of Islam, Cambridge University Press, . This was done in order to counter Portuguese influence in the region.
Official visits Guest Host Place of visit Date of visit Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Oman) Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah Al Alam Palace, Muscat January 29, 2017 Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Oman) Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah Al Alam Palace, Muscat October 28-29, 2017 Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Oman) Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu OIC Extraordinary Summit on Al-Quds, Istanbul May 18, 2018 Sultan (Oman) Haitham bin Tariq President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Ankara November 28, 2024https://www.iletisim.gov.tr/english/haberler/detay/president-erdogan-welcomes-sultan-haitham-bin-tariq-of-oman President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan Sultan (Oman) Haitham bin TariqAl Alam Palace, MuscatOctober 22-13, 2025
Economic relations
Trade volume between the two countries was 489 million USD in 2018 (Turkish exports/imports: 422/67 million USD). In 2024 the two countries signed a 10 year long contract gas deal. Oman agreed to supply Turkish company, Botas 1 million metric tons beginning in 2025.
Cultural relations
Turkish television drama have become massively popular across in Oman, as a significant population halts daily activities to watch shows such as Hareem Al Sultan and Fatima, which according to the Atlantic promotes a positive image of Turkey in Oman.
See also
Foreign relations of Oman Foreign relations of Turkey
References