The USA and Iran want to resume the thread of talk in Oman. Your host is familiar with delicate missions. The sultanate has been praised for its confidentiality and neutrality for years.
A quiet country as a master of diplomacy: the Oman, located in the far east of the Arabian Peninsula, is a state that rarely makes headlines. Popular for beautiful landscapes and popular with tourists, the Oman is politically considered something like Switzerland of the Middle East: you keep out.
“We don't take a party, neither for one nor for the other side,” said former Omani Foreign Minister Jusuf Bin Alawi years ago. “We try to enable both sides, which in our opinion is good for them.”
“Oman is a moderator of the region”
In contrast to the controversial neighbors on the Golf with a large ego and need for validity – Saudi Arabia, united Arab Emirates, Qatar and, on the other side of the Persian Gulf, Iran – the Omanians are considered modest and reserved. A trait that apparently also reflects in politics. The country has not been involved in a conflict for more than five decades, instead serves as a successful intermediary.
“The Sultanate Oman is a moderator of the region,” said the American political professor Marc O'reilly, who has been researching Oman for years. That is a historical role. “The Oman controlled large parts of the Indian ocean and has had good relationships with many countries for centuries – and so he has gained a diplomatic reputation.”
100 % discretion
And this reputation still works: If Iranian Foreign Minister and the American special envoy Steve Wittkoff in Oman have new discussions about the Iranian nuclear program, both sides know that they can rely on the host and his confidentiality 100 %.
Oman prefers the quiet, silent diplomacy. You don't want the attention that Qatar is looking for, for example. They stay in the background, enable negotiations without demanding fame and honor if successful.
Discretion that pays off. So in 2015, at that time the foundation stone for the atomic deal with Iran was laid in the Oman. Also when it comes to the native between the arch -enemies of Saudi Arabia and Iran or in hostage -of -hosts from Yemen – the Oman has always pulled the strings.
Years ago, the then US Secretary of State John Kerry expressly praised the Omani role: “His majesty, the Sultan of Oman, helped us to do things that would otherwise have been very difficult,” said Kerry at the time. Oman contribute to the dialogue. “We are grateful for that.”
Work in silence
Whether in a secluded beach villa of the sultan or a castle in the mountains – the Oman ensures that the negotiating partners can work undisturbed. Journalists are not welcome. Experience has shown that little -to -do -it -yourself.
“The Sultanate and the Omani decision-makers are known for not publishing many interim explanations in such cases,” says Omani political scientist Mohamed al-Araimi. “They work in silence until the mission is fulfilled and will be announced in the end.”
Omanians often play the postman
According to reports, the delegations in different rooms are days without meeting themselves – and sends each other messages and offers. Not via SMS, but of a third party: The Omanians often play the postman and bring the news from one negotiating room to another. They see themselves less than an active negotiator but as a moderator, enable and pioneer when enemies seek the conversation.
The Oman relies on good relationships on all sides: to the West and also to Iran. The good relationship with Iran has recently brought the Oman International criticism. But the historically grown relationship of trust is used by both sides, economically and politically, say Oman connoisseurs like the American political analyst each Peterson. “Iran helps this relationship to be able to negotiate with great powers such as the USA or Saudi Arabia. And the Oman is useful to maintain stability in the region and to strengthen your own foreign policy.”
A first sniffing
There is no other place in the world that all sides would trust as the Oman, say political observers. This time too: After US President Donald Trump terminated the U.S. side nuclear deal in his first term, the opponents are now coming back together in Oman-a first sniffing.
“These are not a concrete negotiations on an agreement, but initial discussions – a test to probe the situation,” explains the Omani political scientist al -Araimi. It is a first step for further steps that could follow later. “Perhaps this meeting is the beginning for a later agreement, not just in the nuclear program.”
“Transform optimism into reality”
And this view seems to be enough for the Omanners as fame: in contrast to Qatar, where every Gaza mediation is celebrated in the media, Saudi Arabia, which is striving for a new image and international recognition on the world stage, and the United Arab Emirates, who rely on glamor and glitter metropolises on the Golf, the Oman remains-and is happy when it has worked out again with the Diplomacy. And basically you think positively in Oman, said Foreign Minister Badr Albusaeedy a few months ago:
Optimism is always our motto and we continue to work on transforming this optimism into reality.
It is questionable whether Omani optimism can prevail in the tense current situation between Iran on the one hand and the USA and Israel on the other. But apparently always worth a try.
