The Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr al-Busaidi, sharply criticized American policy in the current conflict, accusing Washington of being “led into” the war by Israel, even as an agreement with Iran seemed within reach. In a column published in The Economist on Thursday, the former mediator between Tehran and Washington broke with the usual diplomatic caution and described the situation as a “catastrophe.”
According to him, the United States and Iran were “on the verge of reaching a real agreement” on the Iranian nuclear program after several months of negotiations. He claims that the discussions had reached a decisive stage, making a lasting de-escalation in the region possible. But this momentum was abruptly halted at the end of February.
Badr al-Busaidi particularly mentions the strikes carried out on February 28, just a few hours after crucial talks were deemed crucial. He denounces an “illegal military strike against peace” and believes that the American administration made “the greatest error in judgment” by giving in to the arguments of the Israeli leaders, who were convinced that a rapid capitulation by Iran would follow.
The Omani diplomat also calls on the United States’ allies to be frank. “The friends of the United States have a duty to tell the truth,” he writes, urging them to recognize that Washington has “lost control of its own foreign policy.”
These statements represent a rare stance from Oman, traditionally committed to regional mediation. They reflect growing concern over an escalation that, according to him, undermines any prospect of a short-term diplomatic settlement.
[Context: The Omani Minister of Foreign Affairs criticized the US for being dragged into the conflict by Israel and losing the opportunity for a diplomatic resolution.] [Fact Check: The article was published in The Economist and represents the views of the former mediator between Tehran and Washington.]
