Oman’s Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has called for a non-aggression pact between all eight states that border the Gulf — the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) together with Iraq and Iran. He made the proposal on Monday, 26 October 2026, in a speech at Girton College, University of Cambridge, during a visit to the United Kingdom. Oman’s Foreign Ministry shared his remarks.
What Oman is proposing
Albusaidi argued that the countries of the region should take responsibility for their own security instead of relying on outside powers. His plan has two parts: a broad regional security framework that includes Iran, and a formal non-aggression pact between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Iran. He said such a pact “should be the goal”, and urged a new regional dialogue before external powers impose their own solutions.
He also said any security structure that leaves out Iran would be unstable, describing it as “structurally unsound”. In his view, presenting Iran as the region’s main threat has been one of the most harmful ideas imported from outside. He pointed out that Arabs and Persians have lived side by side around the Gulf for centuries, and suggested that ties with the United States should, over time, move away from military dependence towards trade and investment.
Why it matters now
The proposal comes at a tense moment. The region is still living with the effects of the US-Israeli war on Iran that began in February 2026, and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz remains disrupted. Albusaidi said earlier US-Iran nuclear talks had made real progress and that their basic elements still exist if both sides return to negotiations. He added that Oman and Iran had sketched a temporary arrangement to restore free navigation through Hormuz, but political obstacles remain.
Oman has long played the role of quiet mediator in the Gulf, keeping open channels with Tehran, Riyadh and Washington alike. Earlier this month, GCC ministers met in Manama to discuss safe passage through Gulf waters — read our report on GCC ministers backing Saudi Arabia. Oman’s diplomatic profile was also in focus during Sultan Haitham’s state visit to Britain, when King Charles quoted a Hadith praising Oman.
What it means for Muslim readers and Indian families
Peace among Muslim-majority neighbours around the Gulf matters far beyond politics. Millions of Indians, including many families from Maharashtra and Marathwada, work in Gulf countries, and Umrah and Hajj travel depends on safe skies and stable airports. Any step that lowers the risk of conflict between Iran and its Arab neighbours could bring relief to workers, pilgrims and traders alike. The Quran’s call to settle disputes between believers through reconciliation (Surah Al-Hujurat, 49:9–10) is a reminder that dialogue is valued over confrontation. Our coverage of the OIC foreign ministers’ meeting in Baghdad looks at similar calls for regional unity.
Key facts
- Who: Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi
- Where and when: Girton College, University of Cambridge, Monday 26 October 2026
- Proposal: a non-aggression pact among the six GCC states, Iraq and Iran, plus an inclusive regional security framework
- Reasoning: reduce dependence on outside powers; a framework without Iran would be unstable
- Reaction: no formal responses from other Gulf governments had been reported at the time of writing
FAQ
Which countries would be part of the pact?
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq and Iran.
Is this an agreed treaty?
No. It is a proposal by Oman’s foreign minister. No other government has signed on so far.
Source: Middle East Eye — middleeasteye.net; Gulf News — gulfnews.com
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