Omani Foreign Minister Accuses Israel of Influencing US Strikes on Iran After Nuclear Talks

Badr Albusaidi writes in the Economist that a deal was close in Geneva discussions, but US and Israel launched attacks amid ongoing regional tensions

By Hannah Ellis-Petersen

*The Guardian*

*Published: March 19, 2026*


*Jared Kushner, left, and Steve Witkoff with Badr Albusaidi, right, the Omani foreign minister, in Geneva on February 26. Photograph: Omani foreign ministry/AFP/Getty Images*

Oman's foreign minister, Badr Albusaidi, has stated that the United States "lost control of its own foreign policy" and accused Israel's leadership of persuading the Trump administration to conduct military strikes on Iran shortly after nuclear negotiations in Geneva.

In an opinion piece published in *The Economist*, Albusaidi, who mediated the February talks between Iran and the US, described the subsequent US and Israeli strikes—launched on February 28, 2026—as a significant error. He wrote that the attacks occurred "just a few hours after the latest and most substantive talks," when peace "had briefly appeared really possible."

Albusaidi's account contrasts with US statements on the negotiations. US officials have said the Geneva discussions, held on February 26, did not produce a deal due to Iranian red lines on uranium enrichment, ballistic missiles, and support for proxy groups. The US had demanded an end to Iran's enrichment activities, which Tehran rejected, according to State Department briefings reported prior to the strikes.

The strikes targeted approximately 500 Iranian sites, including nuclear facilities, missile production centers, and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) assets, US military officials stated. They were described as preemptive actions based on intelligence indicating Iran's potential nuclear breakout and in response to escalating attacks by Iran-backed proxies. These included Houthi drone and missile strikes on shipping in the Red Sea throughout 2025 and 2026, as well as Hezbollah rocket barrages on northern Israel, with a notable incident on February 27, 2026, when Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli positions.

Oman, alongside other Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, had engaged in diplomatic efforts to avert escalation. Albusaidi highlighted Oman's role in facilitating the Geneva talks, which he described as reaching the "verge of a real deal." He claimed Iran offered concessions, including a reduction and pause in uranium enrichment and participation in a future civil nuclear program, in exchange for sanctions relief and asset unfreezing.

Sources familiar with the talks, cited by *The Guardian* earlier this week, noted a similar view from the UK's national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, who attended the final stages. Powell reportedly observed significant progress toward a permanent nuclear agreement, sufficient to pause military action.

The US delegation included Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, a real estate developer, and Jared Kushner, the president's son-in-law. Reports indicated they did not bring technical experts on nuclear issues.

A follow-up round was scheduled for Vienna the following week, but the strikes began 48 hours after Geneva concluded. Albusaidi attributed the US decision to Israeli influence, claiming Israel persuaded Trump on the false premise that assassinating Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei—confirmed killed in an earlier strike—would prompt an "unconditional surrender" from Tehran.

"This is not America’s war," Albusaidi wrote, adding that achieving Israel's objectives would require a prolonged campaign, potentially involving US ground troops, contrary to Trump's previous pledges to end lengthy conflicts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected the accusation late last Thursday, telling reporters: "Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?" Netanyahu's office has emphasized that Israel's actions were independent responses to Iranian threats, including prior US-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear sites in 2025 amid heightened proxy conflicts and Khamenei's public threats against both nations.

Albusaidi, writing as Oman's top diplomat and recent mediator in Iran-US discussions, called for a return to bilateral negotiations. His op-ed reflects Oman's position as a neutral broker, though his mediation role provides incentives to emphasize progress in the talks to encourage resumed diplomacy.

In comments to reporters last Thursday, Albusaidi stated that Oman views the US and Israeli strikes as violations of international law, arguing they damage global norms and enable regional reconfiguration favoring Israel. Oman has been more outspoken than other Gulf states in criticizing the US—its key security partner—positioning itself as a voice for de-escalation amid the conflict's expansion.

The war has involved Iranian retaliation targeting Gulf infrastructure, prompting evacuations and economic disruptions. Neither side has signaled willingness to negotiate, with US officials citing Iran's proxy network and nuclear advances as ongoing justifications for the campaign.

Prior context includes a series of 2025 US-Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, triggered by Iran's acceleration of enrichment to near-weapons-grade levels and intensified proxy attacks, such as Hezbollah's dozens of rocket and drone barrages on Israel throughout 2025-2026.

*[How ignorance, misunderstanding and obfuscation ended Iran nuclear talks – related analysis]*

As the conflict continues without resolution, Oman has distinguished itself by publicly urging an end to hostilities and a revival of diplomacy.

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US-Israel strikes on Iran | Oman | Trump administration | US foreign policy | Israel | Iran | Middle East and North Africa

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