Omans Mediation Role Under Scrutiny Amid US-Iran Negotiation Delays: Oman’s carefully cultivated reputation as a neutral Middle East mediator faces mounting challenges as US-Iran nuclear talks stall indefinitely. The Sultanate, which has hosted backchannel negotiations for over a decade, now confronts allegations of turning a blind eye to Iranian weapons transfers through its territory to Houthi rebels in Yemen.
Satellite intelligence shared with NATO allies reportedly shows Omani ports being used to circumvent arms embargoes. The scrutiny intensifies as Muscat prepares to host Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian next week, while simultaneously delaying a planned visit by US Special Envoy Robert Malley.
“Oman walks a diplomatic tightrope,” said Gulf analyst Elana DeLozier, noting the country receives both Chinese infrastructure investments and US military aid. With the nuclear talks frozen, Washington is reportedly pressuring Muscat to choose between its economic ties with Tehran and strategic partnership with the West.
Source: raialkhalij + aljazeera