Oman Proposes Non-Aggression Pact Among Gulf Nations

Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi has advocated for the creation of a non-aggression pact among eight countries bordering the Gulf. The proposal includes the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council along with Iraq and Iran. The goal is to establish a more robust and inclusive regional security architecture.

The plan seeks to reduce the historical reliance on external powers for maintaining local order. Albusaidi acknowledged that implementing the agreement faces significant challenges due to mutual distrust. The model is based on a 1976 precedent when the same eight countries met in Muscat to discuss collective security.

Historically, events such as the Iranian Revolution and regional conflicts prevented the consolidation of lasting agreements. Experts view the exclusion of Iran from security discussions as a structural flaw since the country holds half of the Gulf coastline. Previous proposals, such as the 2019 Iranian initiative, did not advance due to geopolitical tensions.

The current climate of escalating conflicts has brought the topic back to the negotiating table. The search for rules that make regional disagreements less destructive is the core of the Omani strategy. The success of the initiative depends on the willingness of local governments to accept a common commitment to non-aggression.