Oman's Foreign Minister Critiques U.S. Policy in Iran Conflict

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has publicly criticized the United States for what he describes as a loss of control over its foreign policy, particularly in relation to its military actions against Iran. In a recent article published in *The Economist*, Albusaidi accused the Trump administration of being influenced by Israel to engage in a conflict with Iran, which he characterized as a "catastrophe" and a "grave miscalculation."

TRT WorldThe GuardianTrump clings to self-defeating argument about Obama-era nuclear deal with IranThe Guardian

Albusaidi's remarks follow a series of military strikes by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, which commenced shortly after what he described as substantive nuclear negotiations in Geneva on February 26, 2026. He noted that these talks had shown promise, with both sides nearing a potential agreement. However, just hours after the discussions concluded, the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran, undermining the diplomatic efforts.

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Albusaidi's assessment highlights a growing discontent among Gulf states regarding U.S. actions in the region. He stated that the U.S. has become a proxy for Israeli interests, leading to significant regional instability. He emphasized that the military actions against Iran are illegal under international law and called for a return to bilateral negotiations to resolve the conflict.

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In his article, Albusaidi expressed that the war is not America's to fight and warned that achieving Israel's objectives would require a prolonged military commitment from the U.S. He stated, “The American administration’s greatest miscalculation... was allowing itself to be drawn into this war in the first place.” He urged for an end to hostilities and a return to diplomatic discussions.

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While Albusaidi's critique reflects a consensus among some Gulf states about the dangers of U.S. military involvement, there are conflicting perspectives regarding the effectiveness of the Trump administration's approach to Iran. Critics argue that the abandonment of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) led to increased tensions, while supporters maintain that the previous agreement was flawed and that tougher sanctions could yield better results.

Trump clings to self-defeating argument about Obama-era nuclear deal with Iran

• “It was a shock but not a surprise when on 28 February – just a few hours after the latest and most substantive talks – Israel and America again launched an unlawful military strike against the peace that had briefly appeared really possible,” — Badr Albusaidi, Omani Foreign Minister

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• “For Israel to achieve its stated objective will require a long military campaign to which America would have to commit troops on the ground, opening a new front in the forever wars which President Donald Trump previously vowed to end.” — Badr Albusaidi, Omani Foreign Minister

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• “Oman’s view is that the military attacks against Iran by the United States and Israel are illegal and that for as long as they continue to pursue hostilities, those states that launched this war are in breach of international law,” — Badr Albusaidi, Omani Foreign Minister

The Guardian

As the conflict continues, the potential for renewed diplomatic efforts remains uncertain. The Omani foreign minister's call for negotiations suggests that there may still be avenues for dialogue, though the current military actions complicate the landscape. The international community will be watching closely to see if any further attempts at diplomacy emerge amid ongoing hostilities.

The Guardian