The sudden death of US Senator Lindsey Graham last week brought the curtain down on one of Washington’s most prominent Republican hawks, a steadfast supporter of Israel. He wanted to expand the Abraham Accords to include other Arab nations, defended Israeli actions during its war in Gaza, and lambasted the International Criminal Court for issuing arrest warrants for Israeli leaders.
Around 11,700km away from Washington, a decision was taken by Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Iranian ambassador and deliver a formal note of protest following drone attacks on sites in the governorates of Musandam and Al Wusta. Although seemingly unconnected, Graham’s death and Oman’s rebuke were two of the most noteworthy events affecting the Middle East in recent days.
Oman’s decision marked a significant moment in the region’s political landscape. Muscat enjoys a close relationship with Tehran and is usually reluctant to issue public criticism, lest it cause misunderstanding or tension with the Islamic Republic, so the move is a clear indication that even the Omanis have now lost patience. Angered by Iran’s military violations, the Sultanate summoned the Iranian ambassador to express its indignation, protests that were echoed elsewhere.
Similar statements were issued by every Gulf state that had come under attack, including Jordan. There is no justification for Iran’s continued targeting of its Arab neighbours in the Gulf Cooperation Council, several of whom had condemned the US-Israeli assault and invested considerable diplomatic effort to help secure a ceasefire in negotiations hosted by Pakistan between an American delegation led by US Vice President JD Vance, and an Iranian delegation led by Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.
A belief in peace
The aim of countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman has been to reach a political settlement acceptable to all parties and thereby defuse the crisis. The sentiments are shared by other Arab states that have been targeted. Their belief in peace and in the duties of neighbourliness kept channels with Iran open and led to their official participation in the funeral of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Yet in their determination to marginalise Iran’s hardliners, they may be inadvertently serving Israel, which threatens everyone. The leaders of the Arab Gulf states thus find themselves caught between two fires.
