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Oman Urges Ceasefire as West Asia Tensions Threaten Humanitarian Crisis

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi has urgently called for a ceasefire and a return to diplomacy, warning that the economic damage and potential for humanitarian catastrophe in West Asia are unsustainable. His remarks followed a virtual EU-hosted emergency summit with Arab leaders and European officials discussing the escalating regional crisis. The tensions have sharply risen since the late February joint US-Israel strikes that killed Iran's Supreme Leader and other senior figures. In retaliation, Iran has launched counter-strikes against American and Israeli assets across the region.

Key Points: Oman Calls for Urgent Ceasefire, Diplomacy in West Asia

  • Call for immediate ceasefire
  • Warning of humanitarian catastrophe
  • EU-hosted emergency summit
  • Escalating US-Iran-Israel tensions
  • Regional economic damage
2 min read

'Regional, US interests best served by ceasefire, return to diplomacy': Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi

Oman's FM Badr Albusaidi warns economic damage & humanitarian catastrophe are unsustainable, calls for immediate ceasefire & return to diplomacy.

"Both regional and US interests will truly be best served by a ceasefire now and a return to diplomacy as soon as possible. - Badr Albusaidi"

Muscat, March 10

Oman Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi on Monday gave a call for the earliest return to diplomacy and ceasefire amid escalating tensions in West Asia and underlined that the economic damage and potential for humanitarian catastrophe are unsustainable.

His remarks come after the leaders' conference hosted by the European Union.

In a post on X, Albusaidi said, "Glad to engage at the Leaders' conference today, hosted by the EU. Both regional and US interests will truly be best served by a ceasefire now and a return to diplomacy as soon as possible. The economic damage and potential for humanitarian catastrophe are unsustainable."

As per the Foreign Ministry of Oman, Albusaidi made the remarks while participating in the emergency leaders' summit on developments in the regional situation, which was virtually held on Monday evening, with the participation of Gulf Cooperation Council countries for the Arab States, a number of Arab leaders, alongside the participation of the Turkiye, Armenia, the President of the European Council, and the President of the European Commission.

"The participants discussed, during the summit, developments in the regional situation amid the war being waged by the United States of America and Israel against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the repercussions thereof that affect the security and stability of the region. They also discussed ways to de-escalate military tensions and strengthen diplomatic efforts aimed at containing the crisis", the statement by Oman's Foreign Ministry said.

The developments follow amid heightened tensions in West Asia as military operations and retaliatory actions involving Iran, the United States and Israel continue to escalate across the region, following the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, 86-year-old Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in joint military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28.

The strikes also killed several senior leaders of the Islamic Republic.

In retaliation, Tehran launched counter-strikes targeting American military bases in multiple Arab countries and Israeli assets across the region.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
A sensible voice from Oman. While we must condemn terrorism, the assassination of a head of state sets a dangerous precedent. It's not just about West Asia; such instability causes oil price volatility that hits every Indian household. Diplomacy is the only way forward.
D
David E
Interesting perspective. The US often talks about rules-based order, but unilateral strikes like these undermine it. As an expat in Mumbai, I see how connected the world is. A war here affects prices everywhere. Hope cooler heads prevail.
A
Aditya G
Fully agree with the call for ceasefire. But I respectfully disagree with framing it as "US and regional interests". What about the interests of the ordinary people living there? The humanitarian catastrophe should be the primary concern, not just geopolitical interests.
S
Sarah B
Oman has always played a wise mediating role. This escalation is terrifying. Many Indians work in the Gulf. Their safety is paramount. India should also use its diplomatic weight to support such peace efforts. We cannot afford another regional war.
K
Karthik V
The economic damage point is crucial. When tensions rise in the Strait of Hormuz, our petrol prices shoot up within days. Peace is not just a moral necessity, it's an economic one for a growing India. Hope diplomacy wins.

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