Tom O’Connor
Newsweek’s Tom O’Connor argues that the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran has pushed Oman from its traditional role as a quiet mediator into a more central position in shaping the post-war security order in the Persian Gulf, especially around the Strait of Hormuz.
The article portrays Oman as the “Switzerland of the Middle East”: a state that has long avoided regional alignments, maintained working relations with both Washington and Tehran, and used discreet diplomacy to keep channels open during crises. But the Hormuz crisis has forced Muscat into a more visible and risky role.
The core issue is the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy chokepoints. Iran and Oman have begun direct talks over how the strait should be administered after the war. Reports differ on whether ships could eventually face tolls or service fees, an idea Iran has hinted at and the U.S. opposes.
The article explains why Oman matters so much geographically and politically. Through the Musandam Peninsula, Oman sits directly on the southern side of the strait, opposite Iran. Unlike many Gulf states, it also has relatively warm historical ties with Tehran, dating back to Iranian support for Oman during the Dhofar rebellion before the 1979 Islamic Revolution. At the same time, Oman has had deep security ties with the United States for decades.
Experts quoted in the piece say Oman’s neutrality is not passive. Abdullah Baabood describes it as “active neutrality”: mediation, de-escalation, maritime security coordination, and crisis-management diplomacy. He argues that Oman may now evolve from being simply a mediator to becoming a regional facilitator that helps build Gulf security mechanisms without abandoning non-alignment.
The war, according to the article, exposed two major realities for Gulf states: regional conflicts can quickly spill over even onto countries that are not direct combatants, and external security guarantees are limited. This makes regional arrangements involving all littoral states more important than relying only on U.S. bases, weapons purchases, or military deterrence.
The most delicate challenge for Oman is avoiding the perception that it is siding with either Iran or the United States. Any active role in Hormuz must be framed around international law, freedom of navigation, coordination with Gulf states, and dialogue with all sides.
The article also notes that Washington may view Oman’s neutrality with some skepticism, especially under the Trump administration. Still, analysts argue Oman remains one of the few actors capable of speaking credibly to both Iran and the U.S.
Overall, the piece’s main takeaway is that Oman’s quiet diplomacy has become strategically louder. The crisis has given Muscat unusual leverage over the future of Hormuz, but also placed it in a high-stakes balancing act between Iran, the United States, Gulf partners, and global energy markets.