MUSCAT // The US defence secretary Robert Gates flew to Oman yesterday to hold talks with Sultan Qaboos about Iran's nuclear programme before heading to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln off the coast.
The talks were expected to cover international concern over Iran, the growing terror threat in Oman's neighbour, Yemen, as well as the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, a senior US defence official told reporters.
The visit was mainly a courtesy call as Oman celebrates the 40th anniversary of the reign of Sultan Qaboos, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Oman, which has good relations with the United States and Iran, played a key role in brokering the release of one of three US hikers accused by the Tehran government of straying from Iraq into Iran's territory.
Muscat has been pressing for the release of the two remaining hikers, held since July last year.
The sultan has also appealed for a diplomatic solution to the dispute over Iran's uranium enrichment programme, which Washington believes is part of a clandestine attempt to build nuclear weapons.
The approach by the US president, Barack Obama, stresses diplomacy and "holding Iran's feet to the fire with sanctions", and Oman had a useful role to play on the issue, said the official, briefing reporters on Mr Gates's plane en route to Muscat.
"The sultan has been very proactive in pushing for a diplomatic solution and so that's helpful," said the official, who described Sultan Qaboos as "among the region's most erudite and insightful leaders".
The visit comes amid the disclosure of hundreds of thousands of secret US diplomatic memos on the WikiLeaks website, including cables that portray Arab leaders deeply threatened by Iran's nuclear ambitions and urging Washington to take military action.
The WikiLeaks documents could come up in the talks as US officials have sought to reassure allies around the world upset by the leaked files, which included embarrassing revelations and harsh assessments of an array of leaders.
The main purpose of Mr Gates's visit was to spend time on the USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea, to get a first-hand look at operations in support of the war in Afghanistan, officials said.
"It will be the secretary's first visit to a deployed aircraft carrier since taking the job four years ago," the press secretary, Geoff Morrell, said.
Mr Gates planned to thank the ship's crew "for the difference they're making for the troops on the ground", he said.
The crew of the carrier and other naval ships in the area "are largely unseen and unheralded, but they are greatly appreciated by our troops fighting in Afghanistan, and by extension the American people at home".
Nearly 100,000 US forces on the ground in Afghanistan rely on fighter jets based on the carrier and elsewhere to carry out air strikes.
The defence official who briefed reporters on the plane said the secretary's trip to the carrier was not designed "to signal any particular message" to Iran.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
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