Oman condemns attacks on Gulf energy facilities, calls for immediate halt to war

2026-03-19 - 10:29

Oman's Foreign Ministry on Thursday condemned attacks targeting energy facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia as the war between Iran and the US continues to escalate. In a statement, the ministry called for adhering to international laws and norms by avoiding attacks on civilian facilities and global energy supplies. Call for de-escalation It called for de-escalation and an immediate halt to military operations, urging all parties to prioritize diplomatic efforts to resolve disputes in a way that preserves regional security and stability. The ministry also expressed solidarity with the affected countries and their "legitimate measures" to safeguard their security and stability. UN Security Council responsibility It demanded the UN Security Council assume its responsibilities and take necessary steps to halt the war and its consequences, reaffirming that addressing the root causes of the conflict through dialogue "remains the most effective path to achieving lasting stability in the region." Oman has historically played a mediating role in regional conflicts, including between the US and Iran. Conflict context Regional escalation continued to flare since the US and Israel launched a joint offensive on Iran on Feb. 28, killing around 1,300 people according to Iranian authorities, including former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and more than 150 schoolgirls. Iran has retaliated with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel, Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting US military assets, causing casualties and damage to infrastructure while disrupting global markets and aviation. Energy infrastructure targeted Recent days have seen direct attacks on energy infrastructure across the Gulf, including Iranian strikes on Qatari energy plants and threats against US-linked oil facilities in Saudi Arabia and the UAE. These attacks have pushed Brent crude prices above $116 per barrel and raised concerns about broader energy market disruption.