Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has ruled Oman since January 2020. He introduced changes in government roles, including the establishment of the position of a crown prince and the institutionalization of male primogeniture. The Council of Oman’s role remained consultative, and the government maintained a repressive approach to dissent.
Oman’s economy faced challenges due to lower oil prices and the COVID-19 pandemic, with high youth unemployment rates. Although oil prices recovered in 2021, Oman’s dependence on hydrocarbon exports and the risk of a budget deficit in the event of a fall in average oil prices threaten the economy.
During the review period, economic recovery and cooperation with neighboring nations were prominent features of Oman’s policy. In May 2022, Oman and Iran signed four cooperation programs, reaffirming plans for an underwater gas pipeline to deliver Iranian gas to Oman.
