The US and Israel struck multiple locations across Iran with missiles on the morning of February 28, including the capital, Tehran, in what US President Donald Trump described as the start of “major combat operations” dubbed “Operation Epic Fury”.

Iran has retaliated with missiles aimed at northern Israel and US bases across the region. According to reports every member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been targeted, except Oman.

Iran is hitting US military assets in the surrounding countries, but part of the reason Oman has been excluded is thanks to its long-standing stance of neutrality, it does not host any US bases. The headquarters of the US Fifth Fleet in Bahrain has been hit, as has the US Central Command headquarters in Qatar, along with dozens of other US targets in the region, most of which have already been evacuated as tensions rose in recent weeks.

Oman has always sold itself as a moderate state under the command of Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said, who has been in power for nearly 50 years. Oman has positioned itself as a diplomatic intermediary between Tehran and Washington, often described as the “Switzerland of the Arab world.” The sultanate has maintained cordial relations with both Iran and the US for decades, even during periods of heightened confrontation.

In recent days, Muscat has moderated indirect talks between US and Iranian officials in Geneva aimed at de-escalating tensions. Oman’s Foreign Minister announced on February 27 that a preliminary understanding had been reached on steps towards curbing Iran’s uranium enrichment programme, although no formal agreement has been signed.

Unlike other GCC members, Oman has avoided joining regional military coalitions against Iran and has refrained from permitting its territory to be used for offensive operations. At the same time, it maintains security cooperation with Washington, including access arrangements for US naval vessels at the port of Duqm. The US and Oman signed a strategic framework agreement in 2009, reinforcing defence and economic ties.

Muscat also shares control of the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, a strategic waterway through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes and is itself a major oil and gas producer, reinforcing its preference for dialogue and stability over confrontation.

Oman does not host permanent, large-scale US military bases in the way that Bahrain hosts the US Fifth Fleet or Qatar hosts Al Udeid Air Base. However, it does provide access to facilities for US forces under bilateral agreements.

The United States and Oman signed a facilities access agreement in 1980, later expanded in 2019. Under this framework, US forces can use several Omani airfields and ports, including: the Duqm Port just outside the Strait of Hormuz, the royal airbases of Masirah and Thumrait, as well as the Muscat International Airport.

If the conflict that has broken out between the US, Israel and Iran drags on then Oman is well placed to act as a mediator between the warring parties. It already enjoys open lines of communication with both sides. It facilitated back-channel talks that led to the 2015 Iran JCPOA nuclear agreement and has previously helped secure prisoner releases and de-escalation efforts in the Gulf. Its mediation style is low-profile and non-confrontational. And it already has over a decade of experience as an intermediary intermittently between Washington and Iran.