Oman FM calls for immediate ceasefire and return to diplomacy — warns 'off-ramps are available'

Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi reaffirmed on Tuesday his country's call for an immediate ceasefire in the Iran-US-Israel conflict and a return to responsible regional diplomacy. 'There are off-ramps available, let's use them,' Albusaidi said in a post on X. The Gulf country had been actively mediating nuclear talks between Iran and the United States before the Israeli and US airstrikes began on Saturday February 28, plunging the region into crisis. Oman served as a back-channel during the negotiations and was in a unique position as a non-aligned Gulf state with historically close relations with both Iran and the US. Iran had been anticipating another round of talks with US envoys after negotiations were held in Geneva the preceding Thursday. The ceasefire call comes as German Chancellor Merz and Trump met at the White House, with Merz noting the war was damaging global economies and he hoped it would end 'as soon as possible.' No ceasefire framework is currently on the table; the US and Israel have signaled the campaign will continue for weeks.