(CNN) -- The Sultanate of Oman is a rarity in the diplomatic world: It enjoys "cordial" relations with both the United States and Iran. And once again, it is closely involved in trying to help win the freedom of Americans held in Iran. In 2010, Omani sources paid $500,000 bail to help win the release of American hiker Sarah Shourd, who with her fiancÃ© Shane Bauer and Josh Fattal was detained in 2009 after allegedly straying across an unmarked stretch of the Iran-Iraq border. The Omanis are now involved in brokering the release of Bauer and Fattal. Sultan Qaboos, who has ruled Oman for more than 40 years, has gone to great lengths to strike a balance in relations with Iran -- Oman's neighbor across the Strait of Hormuz -- and his traditional allies in the west, especially the UK and U.S.
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Sultanate has "cordial" relations with U.S., Iran
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Omani sources helped win the release of Sarah Shourd last year
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Omanis want to avoid "heated atmospherics," official says
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Sultan said to be at home in both traditional Arab, modern Western society
Oman has a free trade agreement with the U.S., allowing @placeholder companies to establish businesses there.