Attending a panel discussion at the Manama Dialogue, an annual conference of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) held in Bahrain on Saturday, Albusaidi described Israel, rather than Iran, as the principal source of regional instability, saying he favors dialogue with Iran and others that are considered rivals in the region.
“Over the years, the GCC has at best sat back and permitted the isolation of Iran,” he revealed, referring to the regional bloc of Persian Gulf Arab states. “I believe this needs to change,” Albusaidi added.
He emphasized that Oman had long hoped for a more comprehensive mechanism for dialogue with all states in the region, including Iran, Iraq, and Yemen.
According to him, inclusive dialogue promotes mutual respect and deeper economic ties, and creates incentives for restraint – something that containment and zero-competition approaches cannot achieve.
Elsewhere in his remarks, he also wished for the resumption of talks between Iran and the United States, which were derailed by the unprovoked Israeli war on the Islamic Republic back in June.
“Just three days before the sixth and possibly decisive round of talks, Israel unleashed its bombs and missiles in an illegal and deadly act of sabotage,” said the top Omani diplomat, who played the intermediary role and hosted five rounds of US-Iran talks early this year.
IRNA