In the new geopolitics, the emergence of the multipolar world order has transformed the geopolitical landscape. Particularly in this regard, the role of the Middle East has been transforming, with both advantages and drawbacks. The ongoing war situation between the US-Zionist and Iran has been contributing towards the emergence of a multipolar world in which the quest for power is multifaceted, manifested through ideological wars, information warfare, network-centric warfare, and the assassination of eminent leaders, resulting in the escalation. In this backdrop, Oman continues to be the most important diplomatic hub in the Middle East.
Oman’s foreign policy is distinctive on the basis of neutrality and a dialogue-driven approach. Since the 1970s, Oman’s foreign policy approach has elements of non-confrontation and balancing strategies, maintaining diversity with regional actors, as well as Iran, Western powers, and non-aligned states. Despite being relatively small in size and with less military influence, Oman is considered very important diplomatically. With the multipolar world order, there has been a rise that has been witnessed in Oman’s diplomacy. This is because the central pillar of this diplomacy is mediation and the role of facilitation as a back-channel. For instance, in 2025, for the nuclear Iran agreement and subsequent exchanges, Oman played a facilitative role as a back-channel mediator between Iran and Western powers for dialogue and mediation. The neutrality between Tehran and Washington made Muscat a feasible office for negotiation and the avoidance of escalation.
Moreover, Oman has been supporting informal communication channels to reduce escalation regarding Gulf tensions and the USA–Iran confrontation. This approach is known as quiet diplomacy in international relations discourse.In 2026, Oman has been playing the role of strategic partner of the USA in the Middle East, as witnessed in the US–Oman third strategic dialogue in Muscat that reaffirmed political, economic, and security cooperation. With the convergence of a multipolar world order, Oman continues to engage with Gulf states as a counsellor to ensure dialogue with the UAE for diplomatic coordination for citizens’ services, as well as cooperation frameworks. Furthermore, independence from bloc politics is another aspect of the rise of Oman as a diplomatic hub. As compared to other Arab states, Oman has not formally recognised the Abraham Accords and continues to insist that normalisation with Israel must be linked to broader peace, particularly a solution to the Palestinian issue. The refusal to formalise the Abraham Accords reflects a calculated approach towards neutrality and signifies a hallmark of Oman diplomacy.
The present escalation between the US-Zionist and Iran, manifested in drone strikes, trade weaponization, and hype in oil prices, adds to the threat perception for world peace. Amidst this, the diplomatic functioning of Oman has been playing a pertinent role in calming the situation. As of March 2026, the direct US military operation against Iran on its nuclear facilities has triggered a regional spillover, firstly manifested in Hezbollah fights with Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, secondly, Houthis’ involvement in Yemen, and thirdly, drone attacks across the Gulf. In the backdrop of this escalation, Muscat’s significance as a diplomatic hub is highlighted through three main perspectives.
Firstly, due to this escalation, the global oil price has spiked to $100 per barrel, which has disrupted the energy market and maritime trade routes. The hyped oil price has resulted in severe instability, and a neutral diplomatic platform has become a necessity. Hence, Oman’s value has increased.
Secondly, Oman has been playing the role of a key mediator between the USA and Iran even before the full-scale escalation. As of February 2026, Iran facilitated the nuclear negotiation between the United States and Iran held in Muscat. The mediation was led by Oman’s foreign minister, Badr al-Busaidi. However, the delegation did not meet directly, but Oman’s mediation, focusing on Iran’s uranium enrichment, sanctions relief, and regional de-escalation, has been analysed as a classic example of back-channel diplomacy to curb the escalation and to maintain world peace.
Thirdly, since the escalation of the full-scale war, Iran has continued to play its role as a maintainer of the diplomatic channel despite the ongoing war and by encouraging the return of negotiation instead of escalation. Oman’s role in facilitating the mediation is described as quiet diplomacy. Diplomacy pertinent for maritime security and strategic mediation, especially in the light of the Strait of Hormuz crisis, firstly because Oman’s role as a regional actor ensures the safety of maritime passages through the strait. This is due to Oman’s geostrategic significance of being a country located at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, giving it a structural position to be a facilitator for the maritime coordination, hence making Oman a critical catalyst for de-escalation, balancing the global oil trade, and ensuring peace.
However, the major impediment for Oman being a diplomatic hub is the direct security risk it has been under the radar of. Since March 2016, the drone strikes have attacked significant sites in Oman, including Duqm and Salalah ports. However, despite the security risk, Muscat’s diplomatic efficiency has not been halted. This is because of three structural reasons. Firstly, Oman’s strategic neutrality, as Muscat has been maintaining relations simultaneously with Iran, the United States, and the Gulf states. Secondly, Oman has historically facilitated mediation, and it reflects that Muscat’s foreign policy has a mediation culture. Thirdly, the geographic advantage of Muscat being located outside major conflict zones and simultaneously near the Strait of Hormuz gives access to all regional actors. Fourthly, Oman’s foreign policy reflects the conception of quiet diplomacy as Oman avoids public diplomacy and media spectacle in media hype, hence it increases the trust factor and reliability for mediating efforts.
