Oman had been mediating talks between Iran and the United States before Washington attacked Tehran.
Published March 3, 2026
Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who mediated talks between the United States and Iran before the war, has said there are still diplomatic options “available” to reduce tension in the Middle East.
“Oman reaffirms its call for an immediate ceasefire and a return to responsible regional diplomacy. There are exit ramps available. Let’s use them,” he said on X on Tuesday.
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Al-Busaidi did not provide details on what the options could be to end the current conflict between Iran and joint Israeli and US forces.
Oman had been mediating talks between Iran and the United States and said peace was “within reach” hours before airstrikes between the United States and Israel began on Saturday, plunging the region into crisis.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump told reporters in Washington, DC, that the United States had attacked Iran because he “had a feeling” that Iran would strike first, as negotiations over its nuclear program stalled.
However, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had said on Monday that the US attacked Iran because it knew Israel was about to bomb the country and because the Trump administration believed Tehran would then attack US facilities in the region.
But Oman’s foreign minister rejected the Trump administration’s characterization that Iran was an “imminent threat” to the United States. He argued that “significant progress” had been made in nuclear talks before the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran.
In its retaliatory attacks, Iran has attacked Israel and US forces throughout the Gulf region. While Oman does not host US forces, it has also been attacked and drawn into the conflict.
The Oman News Agency reported on Sunday that the commercial port of Duqm, located in Al Wusta governorate in central Oman, was attacked by two drones. An expatriate worker was injured in the attack, he said.
A fuel tank at the port of Duqm was also hit by a drone attack on Tuesday, but there were no casualties.
Majed al-Ansari, spokesman for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, said the attack on Oman was “an attack on the very principle of mediation.”
Trump expressed solidarity with Gulf countries on Tuesday, saying, “Iran is hitting countries that have nothing to do with what’s happening.”
