Oman’s Quiet Diplomacy: Active Neutrality, the Persian Gulf and Stability in the Wider Mediterranean

Oman’s active neutrality is a strategic asset for stability in the Gulf and the Wider Mediterranean. Its position on the Strait of Hormuz, its channels with Tehran and the Houthis, and its consolidated relations with Washington and London make Muscat a particularly effective partner in indirect stabilisation. For Italy, the Sultanate’s principal value lies not in its ability to resolve crises autonomously, but in its capacity to make the intentions of regional actors more intelligible. Rome should therefore regard Muscat not as a decisive mediator, but as a political-diplomatic sensor useful for crisis prevention and the early assessment of regional dynamics. From this perspective, Oman can help preserve crisis communication, reduce the risk of misperception and strengthen maritime security along the routes connecting the Gulf, the Red Sea, Suez and the Mediterranean.