US President’s Middle East visit
US President Donald Trump’s Middle East visit from May 13-16, 2025 — during which he visited three Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states – Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE has understandably drawn global attention.
Trump’s first stop over was Saudi Arabia. During his Saudi Arabia visit, the US President signed several bilateral agreements with Saudi Arabia. The US secured investment commitments from Saudi Arabia to the tune of $600 billion from Riyadh and signed a $142 billion defence sales agreement.
During Trump’s Saudi visit, a summit with leaders of GCC member states was held in Riyadh.
The US President hailed Bahrain and UAE for signing the Abraham Accords with Israel which led to normalisation of ties in 2020.
Trump also met with Syrian President, Ahmad Al Sharaa. In doing so, he became the first US President in 25 years to meet with a Syrian President. Trump announced the removal of sanctions against Syria on May 13, 2025. During his meet with the Syrian President, Trump also asked Syria to normalize its ties with Israel.
Qatar visit
During the US President’s Qatar visit, deals between both sides to the tune of over 243 billion were signed in several areas including; aviation, defence, energy and technology . The important agreements between both sides pertained to the sign of Boeing Aircraft and GE Aerospace. The deals signed between both countries are expected to create an estimated 1 million jobs in the US. A statement issued by the White House said, “..Allies like Qatar are partnering in the United States’ success.”
The Iran factor
While all attention was focused on the economic dimension of Trump’s GCC visit, he also reiterated the need for resolving geopolitical conflicts in the region and reiterated his commitment to reducing tensions with Iran and renewing the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action-JCPOA/Iran Nuclear deal 2015, while also clearly articulating certain conditionalities
The US President while commenting on Iran, while in Saudi Arabia said:
“Choice is Iran’s to make…Iran offer will not last forever…Would drive Iranian oil exports to zero,”
While speaking during his Qatar visit, Trump said:
“.. We’re in very serious negotiations with Iran for long-term peace, and if we do that, it’ll be fantastic,”
Trump’s statement comes at a time when US and Iran have completed the fourth round of talks pertaining to the revival of the Iran nuclear deal, while both sides have put forward their reservations, they seem to be cautiously optimistic. It would be pertinent to point out, that Trump’s approach vis-à-vis Iran, as on many issues, has differed significantly from the stance he took during his earlier stint as US President.
Oman’s role in US-Iran talks
All three GCC nations, which Trump has visited in his Middle East trip, have played an important role in shaping the geopolitics of the Middle East and like other Middle Powers have sought to punch above their weight. One GCC nation which often does not get significant attention is Oman – which Trump left out of his itinerary. In the US-Iran talks, Oman has been the intermediary (indirect talks between Iran and the US which led to the 2015 Iran nuclear deal were also held in Oman). Donald Trump himself had thanked Oman “for hosting the first direct meeting between the United States and Iran”
While commenting on the fourth round of talks between Iran and US, the Omani Foreign Ministry Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi said:
“The discussions included useful and original ideas reflecting a shared wish to reach an honorable agreement”.
Oman’s geopolitical clout
One of the advantages which Oman has is a pragmatic foreign policy. While Oman shares cordial ties with the US, it has close relations with Iran which have proven to be an asset in the context of mediating between Iran and the US.
The title of a talk which the Omani Foreign Minister delivered at Oxford University in February 2024 was ; “Talking to Anyone for the Good of Everyone – Diplomacy in a Multipolar World.” This title best highlights Oman’s stance on complex geopolitical issues and the fact that it is willing to be play a key role as it has in the context of Iran-US talks.
Oman’s interest in reduction of tensions between Iran and the US is not driven only by its desire to enhance its diplomatic clout and status. There is a clear pragmatic reasoning for the same it’s geographical location. Oman is located across the Strait of Hormuz, a global oil choke point, and any regional instability will impact Oman.
In conclusion, while all eyes have been on Trump’s recent visit to the Gulf and Saudi Arabia, Qatar and UAE draw more attention, there is no doubt that Oman’s role in the growing geo-political influence of Oman. If Iran and US do revive the Iran Nuclear deal, the Gulf nation’s diplomatic clout is likely to rise further.
