Oman looks beyond Iran sanctions for gas lifeline | Reuters

Oman looks beyond Iran sanctions for gas lifeline | Reuters:

"* Oman laying political foundations for future gas imports

* Sanctions, price disagreement, technical challenges big hurdles

* Iran liquefied natural gas exports from Oman unlikely

By Daniel Fineren

DUBAI, Sept 29 (Reuters) - If Iranian President Hassan Rouhani's dream of reaching a deal with world powers on Tehran's nuclear program in six months comes true, Oman, an important intermediary in the dispute, could be a big winner.

There have been too many false dawns in Iran's decade-old standoff with the West over Tehran's nuclear programme to bank on Rouhani's call in New York last week for a deal within 3-6 months.

But in the weeks leading up to Rouhani's first foreign trip since he became president in August, Omani officials have been visiting Tehran in a bid to buy Iranian gas in the hope that some day sanctions on Iran will be lifted and Oman can finally get the supplies it desperately needs over the Strait of Hormuz."

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