Oman supports Japan's SDF dispatch to Mideast in talks with Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe secured Oman's backing Tuesday for Tokyo's plan to send the Self-Defense Forces to help ensure safe maritime navigation in the Middle East where tensions remain high.In a meeting with Abe in Muscat, Assaad bin Tariq Al Said, special representative for Oman's sultan, said he highly values Japan's efforts and the two agreed to work to safeguard shipping, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.The Middle East saw a spike in tensions following the U.S. killing of a top Iranian commander that prompted Iran's retaliatory missile strikes against Iraqi bases h…READ FULL ARTICLE