ABU DHABI -- Omani Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi on Sunday stressed the need to expand friendly and growing ties with Iran.

Receiving Iran's newly-appointed Ambassador to Oman Mohammad-Javad Asayesh, the Omani minister pointed to President Mohammad Khatami's recent visit to Pakistan and lauded the key role played by Iran in the region particularly in the currently sensitive situation.

Asayesh submitted a copy of his credentials to the Omani minister and expressed hope that friendly and deep-rooted ties between the two countries would further expand, IRNA reported.