POLICY BRIEF
Oman’s Diplomatic Balancing Act: Bridging East and West Across a Divided Middle East
Oman’s diplomatic positioning has recently drawn criticism from hawkish voices in the West – who misread its neutrality as complicity rather than a deliberate strategy shaped by geography, history and regional necessity.
· 07 APRIL 2025
And Simon Tzourbakis
As of 2024, Duqm Port inaugurated a new container terminal equipped with advanced facilities, including a quay length of over 1,000 meters and a yard storage capacity of 26,000 TEUs, along with over 600 reefer plugs.
A number of recent articles circulated by US-based outlets have portrayed Oman as a destabilizing actor, citing its alleged support for Ansar Allah, also known as the Houthis, the de facto authority in northern Yemen. These claims emerge amid a broader US effort to pressure Iran into renewed negotiations, during which the US has re-designated Ansar Allah as a terrorist organisation and subsequently launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen. Against this backdrop, these critics misrepresent Oman’s diplomatic engagement as complicity, while overlooking the fundamentals of its foreign policy. Muscat's pragmatic approach – rather than fuelling instability – has long facilitated dialogue and de-escalation, a vital service in today’s volatile world.
Oman’s Geopolitical Predicament
Oman’s current geopolitical predicament stems from its foreign policy, which is shaped by its history and geographic location. Its 300-kilometre border with Yemen exposes Oman to a range of risks. A major threat is posed by Ansar Allah, whose attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and efforts to procure arms raise the risk of weapons trafficking, militant infiltration and cross-border instability. The Houthis have, moreover, displayed expansionist aims, notably their refusal of Riyadh’s peace proposal in March 2021 and their renewed offensive in Marib and Taizz since late 2024. It thus runs counter to Omani national interests to see the conflict escalate and cause a negative spillover that would threaten not only Oman’s security but regional stability more broadly.
In the face of persistent regional tensions, Oman has positioned itself as a pragmatic mediator who maintains close ties with diverse actors. This flexible stance allows it to balance competing interests while shielding itself from the broader geopolitical rifts that have dominated the Middle East since 2011. Oman’s strategy has thus made it a credible platform for crisis management that enables swift diplomatic access while avoiding the polarization that often characterizes the region.
A Culture of Quiet Diplomacy
Oman’s discreet diplomatic style, sometimes dismissed as opaque, leaves room for misrepresentation. But these portrayals ignore the nuanced role Oman plays in advancing regional stability. Rather than an “enabler of chaos", Oman has consistently contributed to de-escalation across the region.
A few examples may illustrate Oman’s positive contributions: Muscat played a key role in resolving the 2017 GCC crisis and supported reconciliation efforts at the Al-Ula summit in 2021. Oman also helped to re-integrate Iraq into regional diplomacy, signing several energy and diplomatic cooperation agreements between 2019 to 2025, including a double taxation deal to spur trade and investment. Omani diplomats laid the groundwork for the 2023 Iran-Saudi normalization – years before China facilitated the final stages. Furthermore, Muscat brokered talks between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia during Yemen’s 2022 ceasefire, and thus enabled backchannel communications between the US and Iran following Soleimani’s assassination and again amid rising Israeli-Iranian tensions in 2024. Lastly, Oman’s neutrality is evident in its hosting of both the Houthi spokesperson and the ambassador of Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which provides a rare space for dialogue.
Ambivalence over Israel
Critics of Omani foreign policy often point to its stance on Israel. They argue that Oman has not condemned the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israeli civilians, has yet to normalize relations with the Jewish state, and continues to withhold official recognition. Given Oman’s tradition of neutrality, they ask: why not extend it to Israel as well?
Omani officials assert that recognition of Israel remains a delicate issue, as it is across much of the Arab world. Yet, for Omani leaders, the Israel-Palestine conflict is not a matter of absolutes. In 2018, the late Sultan Qaboos hosted Benjamin Netanyahu in an effort to revive the two-state solution. This outreach echoed earlier visits by Israeli Prime Ministers Yitzhak Rabin in 1994 and Shimon Peres in 1996.
On Gaza, Oman underscores its principled support for UN General Assembly resolutions. It has consistently called for a permanent ceasefire and the immediate, unconditional release of all hostages. Omani officials suggest that a two-state solution and lasting peace in Gaza could open the door to normalization with Israel. In this regard, Oman’s stance is not controversial and in fact aligns with Saudi Arabia’s position.
East-West Connectivity
Oman’s foreign policy is deeply influenced by its strategic location at the southeastern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Its proximity to Iran, India and East Africa has enabled the country to cultivate rich diplomatic, cultural and economic ties over centuries. Deep-water ports in Salalah, Duqm and Sohar serve as major logistical hubs and are seen as stable, business-friendly alternatives to other regional ports. Geography, combined with political stability, a welcoming culture and natural resource wealth allows Oman to engage with competing trade blocs and diversify its economic partnerships.
Given its location, Muscat has built strong ties with both the West as well as China and India. Its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative brought over $10 billion in investment to Duqm’s port and the China-Oman Industrial City. Indo-Omani relations are anchored in a 2008 Strategic Partnership Agreement, which includes Indian naval access to Duqm. Oman also maintains close relations with G7 countries and participates in informal dialogues on regional security. These relationships position Oman not only as a mediator but as a vital economic and geopolitical bridge between competing global powers.
Neutrality and its Discontents
Oman’s predicament is not unique. In today’s multipolar international system, growing geopolitical tensions have caused a number of neutral states to reassess their positions. Intensifying great power rivalry has already led countries like Switzerland, Finland and Sweden to partly abandon neutrality and adopt NATO- or EU-aligned policies – tactical moves that could undermine their long-term strategic autonomy. Switzerland’s position during the Russia-Ukraine conflict shows how neutrality, often framed as principled, is in practice a flexible tool of foreign policy – especially when external pressures mount and geopolitical alignments become unavoidable. Oman’s quiet yet calibrated diplomatic posture is rooted in a foreign policy vision that adheres to a non-sectarian approach. This, in turn, allows it to engage with all sides without bringing sectarian sensitivities.
In a post-Westphalian order where sovereignty and territorial integrity are increasingly contested, neutrality risks being replaced by bloc alignment, which undermines core national values and identities. Omani foreign policy operates within a subtle and dynamic geopolitical landscape and thus must be understood within this broader context. As such, the Sultanate’s neutrality provides a rare and vital channel for dialogue among competing actors and thus acts as a contributor, rather than an obstructor, of regional stability.