US-Israel Attack Iran, Oman's Mediation Futile

WASHINGTON, SATURDAY - Mediation by Oman was in vain due to the decision of the United States and Israel to attack Iran. Oman has been working hard to prevent the attack.

The US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday (February 28, 2026). Explosions were heard in Tehran and several other Iranian cities.

Iranian media, Irna, reported that explosions were heard in at least two locations in Tehran. Another media outlet in Iran, FARS, reported that several missiles struck the Joumhouri area and the University. These locations are near the office of the Supreme Leader of Iran. Several witnesses even stated that the office was targeted.

The attack occurred while Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi was in Washington DC. There, he was received by US Vice President JD Vance.

After meeting with Vance, he contacted the leaders of Middle Eastern countries. He also participated in an interview with the US media, CBS News. "A peace agreement is within our reach if we give diplomacy the space it needs to achieve it. Because I believe there is no alternative to diplomacy that will resolve this issue," Albusaidi stated to the host, Margaret Brennan.

Providing diplomatic space means that there will still be another round of negotiations to come. As produced in the third round of negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, on Thursday (26/2/2026), the negotiations resulted in an agreement regarding a follow-up meeting in Vienna, Austria, next week.

Several hours before Al-Busaidi's interview, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he was "not happy" with the latest negotiations regarding Iran's nuclear program. "I am not happy with the fact that they are not willing to give us what we should have. I am not happy about that. We'll see what happens. We will talk later," said Trump.

Nevertheless, Trump indicated that he would give more time to the negotiators to reach an agreement. This would prevent a new war in the Middle East.

Al-Busaidi, during the "Face the Nation" event, stated that he believes a peace agreement can be reached if the negotiation process proceeds smoothly. "I urge to continue this process (of negotiation) because we have made substantial progress towards an agreement. The essence of this agreement is very important, and I think we have captured that essence," said Al-Busaidi.

He explained that if the main objective of the negotiations is to ensure that Iran will not possess a nuclear bomb, that goal has already been achieved. However, there are other matters that must be pursued and agreed upon alongside the demand that Iran must not have a nuclear bomb.

Another point is that Iran will never have enriched nuclear material to create a bomb. "This, in my opinion, is a significant achievement. This is something that was not included in the old agreement negotiated during President Obama's administration," explained al-Busaidi.

Without having enriched nuclear material, the argument for uranium enrichment becomes less relevant. "This is very important because if you cannot stockpile enriched material, then it is impossible for you to make a bomb," said al-Busaidi.

The enriched uranium currently present in Iran, according to al-Busaidi, will be mixed to the lowest possible level, to a neutral level, a natural level. The material is then converted into fuel. This fuel cannot be reversed.

Another agreement that will be pursued is the full and comprehensive verification process by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). "This is also an equally important achievement, in my opinion," said al-Busaidi.

If Iran agrees to a full and comprehensive verification process, Iran will grant access to inspectors from the IAEA to conduct reviews and inspections. "I think if we can capture that and build on it, I believe an agreement is within our reach," said al-Busaidi.

Regarding the technical details of the agreement, al-Busaidi estimated that a maximum of three months would be needed to ensure that Iran's nuclear program is for peaceful purposes. This three-month period is required by the IAEA to ensure there is no stockpiling, control, and verification processes.

Al-Busaidi is optimistic that the agreement can be reached in Vienna. On the day after tomorrow in Vienna, both parties have agreed to discuss technical matters. "Then, a few days after that, within a week, actually from now, we are working on another round of talks at the negotiator level," explained Al-Busaidi.

Several hours after Trump expressed his displeasure on Friday, several governments such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, Italy, Australia, India, China, and several European and Asian countries issued travel warnings. The warnings advised their citizens to avoid Iran.

The travel warnings from those countries also advise their citizens to leave Iran as soon as possible. Amid regional tensions, travel disruptions have already begun to occur.

Flights between several regional hubs and Tehran have been canceled or diverted. Flights from Istanbul Airport to Tehran, a major route for travelers to and from Iran, are among those canceled due to rising tensions.

The cancellation of flights demonstrates the impact of the crisis on regional mobility. Meanwhile, airlines are beginning to conduct risk assessments for operations in Iranian airspace.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Department of State has authorized the departure of non-essential government personnel and their family members from their mission in Israel. This step was taken due to security risk concerns.

In its warning, the U.S. State Department stated that travel by U.S. officials to certain areas, including parts of Jerusalem and the West Bank, may be restricted without prior notice. It was also advised that any U.S. citizens in the region should leave as long as commercial flights are still available. (AP/AFP)