Oman to Be “Honest Broker” in Hiker Negotiations

As the U.S. seeks to free the last two hikers held in Iran, Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal, Oman has assumed the role as the “honest broker” between the two countries. After playing a role in releasing American hiker Sarah Shourd in 2010, Oman is once again using its relations with Iran and U.S. to broker a deal between the two countries.

On Thursday, negotiations took place regarding a $1 million “bail-for-freedom” agreement that would free the  imprisoned hikers. Iraqi authorities are also noted to be involved in the negotiations. “The high-level Iraqi and Omani intervention suggested progress on the complicated judicial and diplomatic dealings over the $500,000 bail deal for each American,” The Guardian reported.

According to an Omani official, Sultan Qaboos bin Said, Oman’s ruler, has a plane waiting in Tehran ready to take the hikers out.  However, Iran’s judiciary stated on Wednesday that they are still reviewing the bail provisions, leaving a timetable undecided. Philip Luther, Amnesty International’s deputy director for the Middle East and North Africa, stated that ”The Iranian authorities must stop treating Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal as pawns, both in their dealings with the US government and in domestic political rivalries.”