About Gulf of Oman:
- The Gulf of Oman, also called the Gulf of Makran, is the western extension of the Arabian Sea in the Middle East, forming the only entrance to the Persian Gulf from the Indian Ocean.
- It connects the Arabian Sea to the Strait of Hormuz, which leads into the Persian Gulf.
- It borders Iran and Pakistan on the north, Oman on the south, and the United Arab Emirates on the west.
- The small ports along the gulf include Ṣuḥār, al-Khābūrah, Muscat, and Ṣūr, in Oman, and Jāsk and Chāh Bahār, in Iran.
- Some of the significant islands that are located in the Gulf of Oman include Sheytan Island, Al Fahal Island, Dimaniyat Islands, and the Sawadi Islands.
- Some fishing is carried on, but the Gulf’s main importance is as a shipping route for the oil-producing area around the Persian Gulf.
- The Gulf of Oman offers the only entrance from the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean into the Persian Gulf.
- The world’s major oil exporters and importers have a joint interest in its security. Roughly one-third of the world's oil is exported via the Strait of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman.
Marine Security Belt 2025:
- The Marine Security Belt 2025 is a joint naval exercise involving China, Russia, and Iran. Conducted in the Gulf of Oman, it aims to enhance maritime security, counter piracy, and terrorism in the northern Indian Ocean.
- The drills include simulated attacks, search and rescue operations, and damage control exercises.