AiBotIn a sharp escalation of tensions in the region, Oman has summoned the Iranian ambassador to its capital, Muscat, to protest Iran’s overnight airstrikes on United States military sites stationed in the Sultanate. The move comes as a direct response to the surprise attack that caught regional leaders off guard and prompted an emergency meeting of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to discuss the implications of the strike.
According to sources close to the Omani government, the Iranian ambassador, Saeed Abu Al-Kasim, was summoned to the Foreign Ministry in Muscat early on Tuesday morning, where he was handed a formal protest note by the Deputy Minister of State for External Affairs. The note expressed Oman’s “strongest condemnation” of the airstrikes and called for an immediate halt to such “aggressive” actions that threaten the stability of the region.
The US military sites targeted in the airstrike are located in the coastal city of Duqm, which is home to a major logistics and maintenance hub for American forces in the Middle East. The attack, which occurred under the cover of darkness, left no casualties or significant damage but sent a clear message to regional leaders of Iran’s military capabilities and its willingness to use them in the service of its national interests.
Oman’s reaction to the airstrikes reflects its long-standing commitment to maintaining good relations with both the US and Iran, a balancing act that has allowed it to avoid being drawn into the regional rivalry between the two powers. However, the attack has put pressure on Oman to take a clearer stance on Iran’s actions and has fueled speculation about the country’s potential involvement in any regional efforts to contain or counter Iran’s growing military presence in the Middle East.
In a statement issued by the Omani Foreign Ministry, the government expressed its “deep concern” over the “unprovoked and irresponsible” nature of the airstrikes and called on Iran to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states in the region. The statement also reiterated Oman’s commitment to upholding its bilateral relations with Iran and to working towards a peaceful resolution of the tensions that have arisen as a result of the attack.
As tensions continue to rise in the region, observers are watching with growing interest to see how Oman and other regional players will navigate the complex web of alliances and rivalries that has been thrown into sharp relief by Iran’s surprise airstrikes on US military sites in Oman.