The Sultan of Oman, Qaboos bin Said al Said, died on Friday at the age of 79, according to Oman state media.

“One week after the death of Qasem Suleimani…this is a significant event,” Journalist Yashar Ali noted. “Both Iranian and American leaders will be at his funeral.”

This is a major event because Oman has been an island (not literally) of tranquility in the Middle-East and the Sultan was one of the few people who could mediate between the US and Iran,” Ali continued. “The Sultan has no apparent heir…a council will likely decide who his heir is.”

2. This is a major event because Oman has been an island (not literally) of tranquility in the Middle-East and the Sultan was one of the few people who could mediate between the US and Iran.

The Sultan has no apparent heir…a council will likely decide who his heir is.

“The reason this is a bigger deal now is tensions are at an all time high with the US and Iran,” Ali added. “If he had died a year ago, it would have been a major moment (he’s been in power for 50 years), but not as significant as this.”

4. The Sultan did apparently leave envelopes with the name of his choice but that is only if a council failed to come up with a choice of a successor.

The point is though, there is no natural heir. And that causes some stress and concern.

5. The reason this is a bigger deal now is tensions are at an all time high with the US and Iran. If he had died a year ago, it would have been a major moment (he’s been in power for 50 years), but not as significant as this.