Middle East
Why Trump won't 'blow the sh*t out of' Oman today
If he wants to keep talking to the Houthis to help resolve escalating Red Sea crisis, Muscat is his intermediary
September 21, 2026
If he wants to keep talking to the Houthis to help resolve escalating Red Sea crisis, Muscat is his intermediary
Oman and Iran appear close to a temporary arrangement to reopen the Strait — which Washington should welcome if it keeps traffic open and free
The war in Iran is pushing smaller states to diversify their great power partnerships — if Washington will let them
Leaders in Muscat are struggling to balance their role as a mediator with Washington's 'us-vs-them' approach
Threats from Tehran and regional uncertainty are reshaping regional security, but not all Gulf states are moving in the same direction
Muscat is the only Gulf capital that has remained friendly with Tehran throughout the war. There is a reason for that, and why those relations will persist.
