Why Oman, A US-Iran Mediator, Eventually Faced Iran’s Strikes: Will Gulf Nations Retaliate? Explained

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 17:10 IST

Oman is friend to all, enemy to none, was brokering peace between US and Iran: Why haven't Gulf nations retaliated? What happens to Islamic nations' unity? Explained

Oman initially stood as the only Gulf state spared from Iran’s retaliatory campaign in response to the US-Israel strikes that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

However, as the war expanded, even this mediator found itself under fire, exposing a profound disconnect between Iran’s diplomatic and military wings.

What happened to Oman’s shield of neutrality? What has changed? Why Arab countries haven’t attacked Iran despite being hit, explained

OMAN: SWITZERLAND OF THE MIDDLE EAST

Oman is frequently called the ‘Switzerland of the Middle East’ or the ‘Switzerland of Arabia’ due to its long-standing foreign policy of “friend to all, enemy to none".

Hours before the US-Israeli strikes on February 28, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi was brokering what he described as “unprecedented progress" in nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

Initially, Oman remained untouched by the missile barrages that struck Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE, and Qatar.

This immunity was because unlike its neighbours, Oman does not host major permanent US combat hubs used for the initial strikes on Iran. Moreover, a 50-year security partnership, dating back to Iranian support during the Dhofar rebellion, has maintained institutional trust even after the 1979 Revolution.

Hours before the US-Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Al Busaidi was brokering what he described as “unprecedented progress" in nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

THE STRIKE ON THE MEDIATOR

However, the immunity didn’t last for long. On March 1 and 2, 2026, when Iranian drones and projectiles targeted the Port of Duqm and vessels off the Omani coast.

‘NOT THE GOVERNMENT’S CHOICE’: DECODING IRANIAN FOREIGN MINISTER’S DEFENCE

Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi remarkably claimed these strikes were “not the government’s choice". Araghchi told Al Jazeera that Iranian military units were acting “independently and somehow isolated" based on general prior instructions, rather than specific diplomatic directives.

Despite the diplomatic apology, analysts suggest the IRGC intended to send a clear message: in this “total war" no safe havens exist, and mediation offers no protection.

FRAGMENTED UNITY AMONG MUSLIM NATIONS

The targeting of a neutral Arab mediator has highlighted the fragile unity within the Muslim world. While Oman urged for “inclusive dialogue" and warned that Israel is the primary source of regional insecurity, other Gulf nations like Bahrain and the UAE have increasingly viewed Israel as a strategic partner against Iran.

Iran’s strategy of “ratcheting up the pain" on Gulf states—including the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—is intended to force them to pressure the US to end the war. Instead of unifying the region against the US-Israeli campaign, the strikes on civilian infrastructure and mediators like Oman are reportedly pushing Gulf capitals into closer military alignment with the West for protection.

As of March 3, 2026, the conflict has forced all regional actors to choose sides, effectively ending the era where a nation could be a “friend to all" in the Persian Gulf.

Oman was initially spared due to its lack of offensive US bases and its role as a key mediator, but was eventually struck by Iranian military units acting independently of their own foreign ministry’s diplomatic goals. This escalation has shattered the “mediator’s shield" and deepened the divide between Muslim nations, as Iran uses strikes on civilian and neutral targets to pressure its neighbours into abandoning their ties with the West.

WHY ARAB COUNTRIES HAVEN’T ATTACKED IRAN DESPITE BEING HIT

Arab countries have refrained from direct military retaliation against Iran primarily due to a strategic calculation that favors containment over a devastating regional war. Despite facing significant strikes on energy facilities, airports, and civilian infrastructure, Gulf leaders are balancing several critical factors:

Economic Vulnerability: Gulf economies—heavily dependent on oil exports, tourism, and global shipping—would be the first to collapse in a prolonged conflict. Strikes have already hit the Aramco refinery in Saudi Arabia and energy hubs in Qatar, signal ing that direct war could permanently cripple their national visions for the future.

Risk of Internal Chaos: Analysts suggest Gulf policymakers fear a total collapse of the Iranian state more than its current hostility. An imploding Iran could trigger massive refugee flows and empower uncontrollable splinter militias across the region.

The ‘Muslim Ummah’ Factor: Arab leaders are wary of being perceived as fighting alongside Israel against another Muslim nation. In the wake of the assassination of a prominent Shia leader, any direct Arab strike could be framed by Tehran as “slavery to the West," potentially sparking domestic unrest within Sunni-majority states.

U.S. Alliance Management: While these states host U.S. bases, President Trump has indicated that direct participation from Gulf allies in offensive strikes is not currently required. This has allowed Gulf capitals to maintain a “defensive only" posture, shielding them from being labeled full combatants.

Defensive Focus: Most Gulf states are currently prioritizing the preservation of their air-defense stockpiles, which are being rapidly depleted by Iranian drone swarms.

Iran’s “Total War" Threats: Iranian military sources have explicitly threatened to target the “palaces of kings" and civilian heartlands if Arab regimes join the offensive, a level of direct threat that most Gulf monarchies are unwilling to test.

The Role of Mediators: Even after being hit, nations like Oman and Qatar continue to insist that the “door to diplomacy remains open". They view themselves as essential bridges that will be needed to negotiate an eventual ceasefire, a role that would be permanently destroyed by a retaliatory strike.

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