Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, has urged the establishment of a regional security pact involving the six Gulf states, Iran, and Iraq to enhance Middle Eastern peace and stability. Speaking at Girton College, Cambridge, Albusaidi emphasized that Middle Eastern countries should assume greater responsibility for their security instead of relying heavily on the United States.
Albusaidi pointed out that excluding Iran from regional security discussions has historically exacerbated tensions and complicated dispute resolution. He proposed a non-aggression agreement among Gulf countries, Iran, and Iraq, underscoring the importance of dialogue and shared responsibility. External powers, he argued, have overly influenced regional security policies, hampering the ability of neighboring countries to find common ground.
His remarks coincided with discussions in Tehran among senior officials from Türkiye, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia regarding regional security and efforts to avert renewed conflict between the United States and Iran. These talks also addressed potential future security arrangements in the Middle East.
Albusaidi stressed the critical need to address disputes affecting the Strait of Hormuz, a pivotal maritime route for global energy shipments. He advocated for regional collaboration to ensure maritime security and prevent further escalation of tensions.
The Omani foreign minister also mentioned that previous negotiations between Washington and Tehran, facilitated by Oman, had shown promising progress toward an agreement. Despite ongoing regional tensions following infrastructure attacks and concerns about possible military confrontations, Albusaidi’s proposal highlights Oman’s commitment to promoting diplomacy and regional cooperation.
However, implementing a regional security pact presents significant challenges due to longstanding mistrust, Iran’s military activities, and concerns from neighboring countries about their security threats. Any agreement would necessitate extensive negotiations and assurances from all involved parties. Albusaidi’s initiative underscores the need for Middle Eastern countries to explore independent frameworks for collective security and reduce reliance on external influences.