Oman Foreign Minister proposes non-aggression pact for Gulf security

Omani Foreign Minister Badr bin Hamad Albusaidi has called for a new regional dialogue to establish a comprehensive security framework in the Gulf. Speaking at the University of Cambridge, Albusaidi proposed a non-aggression pact between the eight countries bordering the Gulf: the six GCC member states, Iraq, and Iran.

Albusaidi emphasized that any security arrangement excluding Iran would be inherently unstable, noting that the systematic exclusion of Iran for nearly half a century has had deep negative consequences for the region. He argued that regional security should be managed collectively by local powers rather than relying heavily on external forces, which he suggested complicates the resolution of issues like the Iranian nuclear program and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Minister also highlighted Oman's role in facilitating negotiations between the United States and Iran regarding the nuclear program and efforts to ensure maritime safety in the Strait of Hormuz. He suggested reviving the spirit of a 1976 initiative where foreign ministers from the eight coastal nations met to discuss collective security.