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Oman's foreign minister called on all parties in the Middle East war to exercise "self-restraint" during an address to world leaders at the United Nations on Saturday, hours after President Donald Trump rejected a truce proposal from Iran that Tehran said could have reopened the Strait of Hormuz to shipping within a week.
Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi's remarks came as the strait, a critical corridor for global energy supplies, has become a central flashpoint in the nearly seven-month standoff between the United States and Iran, which both sides have been unable to break.
Addressing the General Assembly, Albusaidi urged the parties involved to pursue "a policy of self-restraint and foresight" and to seek resolution through dialogue rather than continued confrontation. He said such an approach was necessary to reach "consensual, political solutions and sustainable understandings for the benefit of all."
The minister reiterated Oman's willingness to serve as an intermediary in the conflict, a role the Gulf sultanate has long played in regional disputes given its geographic position and diplomatic ties across the region.
"Oman once again reaffirms its steadfast commitment to continuing its efforts aimed at safeguarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," Albusaidi told the assembled delegates, adding that Muscat was calling "upon all parties to cooperate with Oman in these efforts."
Oman lies directly across the strait from Iran, and the waterway has taken on added significance as vessels attempting to avoid restrictions imposed by Tehran have increasingly rerouted along the Omani coastline, according to the shipping patterns described alongside the minister's remarks.
The diplomatic push unfolded against the backdrop of Trump's rejection earlier Saturday of a ceasefire proposal put forward by Iran. Tehran had indicated that the arrangement could have restored shipping traffic through the strait within a week, but Trump turned down the offer, leaving the broader conflict, now in its seventh month without resolution — unresolved.
No further details on the terms of the rejected proposal, the reasons for its rejection, or next steps in the conflict were provided.
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