Kamal Ghorui
File photo: Iranian supreme leader, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, right, with Oman’s Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, in Tehran (Picture credit: PTI)
As the confrontation between Iran, Israel and the United States intensifies, missiles have lit up skies across the Gulf. Yet one country stood out for not being targeted, Oman.Following coordinated US–Israeli strikes on Iran, explosions were reported in Tehran. US President Donald Trump said the campaign aimed to eliminate “imminent threats from the Iranian regime” and dismantle its nuclear programme. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the assault as removing an “existential threat”.
In retaliation, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles at US-linked targets across the Gulf. As a result, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates were struck, while explosions were also heard in Riyadh.
Gulf bases under fire
Bahrain confirmed that the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet was targeted. Kuwait said Ali al-Salem Air Base came under ballistic missile attack, though all were intercepted. Qatar’s Defence Ministry stated it “thwarted” several attacks, adding that missiles were intercepted before reaching Qatari territory, as reported by Al Jazeera.In the UAE, including near Abu Dhabi, one person was killed by shrapnel from an intercepted missile, according to state media cited by Al Jazeera. Saudi Arabia said attacks on Riyadh and the eastern region were repelled and called them “a blatant violation” of its sovereignty.All four states temporarily closed their airspace.
Why Oman was not targeted
Unlike Bahrain, Qatar or the UAE, Oman does not host a major permanent US combat base directly involved in offensive operations against Iran. While Washington has access to facilities such as RAFO Masirah under defence agreements, these are largely rotational and logistical rather than strike hubs.More importantly, Oman has long acted as a diplomatic bridge between Tehran and Washington. Omani foreign minister Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi recently met US Vice President JD Vance ahead of the escalation. He has been central to indirect US–Iran talks held in Oman and Geneva.According to the Oman News Agency, Al Busaidi said nuclear discussions had achieved “significant, important and unprecedented progress”. He had voiced optimism that peace was “within reach”, describing Iran’s agreement not to stockpile enriched uranium as a breakthrough. Hours later, the US–Israel strikes took place, effectively collapsing the talks.
Military targets versus mediation role
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Among them, Bahrain, Qatar and the UAE host major US military infrastructure. Iran’s strikes appeared focused on states seen as directly facilitating US operations.Tehran’s calculus, as reflected in the pattern of attacks, targeted countries with a visible American combat presence. Oman’s neutral posture and its consistent mediation role likely shielded it from retaliation.While Gulf capitals remain on high alert and missile exchanges continue, Oman stands as the sole GCC state not struck in this round of escalation, preserving, for now, a fragile diplomatic channel in an increasingly militarised region.
