Oman’s Foreign Minister Yousuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah made a surprise visit to Iran on Monday amid mounting tensions between Tehran and the United States. He discussed regional and international issues with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iranian state news agency IRNA said. Oman has in the past has served as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran. The talks some amid heightened tensions in the region, with the US sending warships and bombers to counter threats from Iran. The crisis is rooted in President Donald Trumps decision to withdraw from the nuclear accord last year and impose sweeping US sanctions on Iran.