Regarding smuggling and piracy issues in the region the Royal Oman Police Coast Guard established relations and partnerships with actors in the region. Combined Task Forces 150 and 151 regularly reach Muscat for talks and cooperation through senior visits such as those by Commodore Daryl Bate in Muscat ROP HQ in 2014 and by Rear Admiral Ayhan Bay in 2015. The EU's Operation Atalanta is also a major partner as illustrated by Bader Khalfan Al Zadgali's 2017 meeting with Rear Admiral Gregori then commander of the EU mission. While GCC and western forces are key players in the area, and in accordance with wider Oman policy the Royal Oman Police maintain talks on smuggling with Iran. A dedicated summit with Brigadier Galal Stara, Commander of the Coast Guard Forces in the Islamic Republic of Iran, was held in march 2017.
