As tensions in the Middle East continue, Oman’s foreign minister, who has been brokering US-Iran talks, called for a ceasefire during a call with his Iranian counterpart on Sunday and said Tehran has expressed willingness to de-escalate, according to a Hindustan Times (HT) report.
Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi “reaffirmed the Sultanate of Oman’s continued call for a ceasefire and a return to dialogue… in a manner that meets the legitimate demands of all parties,” the report said, citing Oman’s foreign ministry as reading a call with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
According to a quoted statement from Oman’s foreign ministry, Araghchi said Iran was “calling for peace” and expressed the “openness of the Iranian side to any serious effort that will contribute to stopping the escalation and returning to stability.”
The proposal comes after the US and Israel launched airstrikes on Iran on Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The Islamic Republic vowed revenge and launched its own attacks on 27 US bases and some Israeli military installations on Sunday, escalating the conflict, according to reports.
On Sunday, Oman, initially the only Gulf state untouched by the first day of Iranian retaliation, was hit by two Iranian drones in the port of Duqm, injuring a foreign worker, according to regional reports.
US President Donald Trump said Sunday that Iran’s new leadership was interested in talking to him and that he had agreed, according to an interview with Atlantic magazine.
“They want to talk, and I agreed to talk, so I’m going to talk to them. They should have done it sooner. They should have done what was very practical and easy to do sooner. They waited too long,” Trump said in an interview at his Florida residence.
Trump did not specify who he would speak with or whether the meeting would take place on Sunday or Monday.
Oman, a crucial intermediary
Oman has acted as an essential, neutral mediator between the United States and Iran, hosting indirect discussions in Muscat to promote dialogue during escalating tensions. These initiatives, led by Omani officials, sought to create favorable conditions for negotiations on Iran’s nuclear activities and regional stability.
Before the joint US-Israeli strikes on Saturday 28 February that disrupted everything, Oman had played its part by facilitating talks in Geneva since the start of the year to prevent further conflict. During the escalation, Oman expressed its willingness to de-escalate Tehran in order to restore the ceasefire.
