Oman’s Foreign Minister, Badr Albusaidi, has expressed strong criticism of the United States’ current approach to foreign policy, suggesting that Washington has effectively lost control over its strategic decisions in the Middle East. In a detailed analysis published in an international magazine, Albusaidi highlighted the complexities surrounding the US involvement in the escalating conflict with Iran, emphasizing that the war is not one that America should be engaged in.
He pointed out that the United States and Iran were on the verge of reaching a meaningful agreement, which could have potentially eased tensions in the region. However, this fragile progress was abruptly disrupted when the US and Israeli forces launched coordinated strikes against Iranian targets on February 28. These attacks came just hours after what was described as the most substantive round of diplomatic talks between the two nations, a move Albusaidi described as a “shock but not a surprise.”
Albusaidi went on to argue that the most significant error made by the American administration was allowing itself to become entangled in a conflict that was not originally its own. He stressed that this war does not serve America’s interests and that there is little chance that either the US or Israel will achieve their desired outcomes through military means alone. The Foreign Minister suggested that the conflict risks dragging both countries into a prolonged and costly military campaign.
He further elaborated on Israel’s expectations, noting that Israeli leadership had convinced the United States that Iran was severely weakened by sanctions, internal political strife, and previous military actions, including the bombing of its nuclear facilities last June. This assessment led to the belief that Iran would quickly capitulate following an initial assault and the targeted killing of its supreme leader. However, Albusaidi cautioned that this assumption has proven overly optimistic and that the reality on the ground indicates a much more protracted and difficult conflict ahead.
Albusaidi, achieving Israel’s stated goals would likely require a long-term military engagement involving American ground forces, effectively opening a new front in what has been described as the “forever wars.” This scenario contradicts previous commitments by former President Donald Trump, who had vowed to end America’s involvement in endless overseas conflicts. Albusaidi emphasized that such a war is neither desired by the current US government nor supported by the American public, who largely view the conflict as distant and unrelated to their national interests.
In conclusion, Oman’s Foreign Minister called for a reassessment of the US role in the Middle East, urging a return to diplomacy and cautioning against the dangers of becoming further embroiled in a war that risks destabilizing the region even more. His remarks underscore the growing concerns among regional actors about the consequences of escalating military actions and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran.
