French Ambassador to Oman Nabil Hajlaoui addressed the escalating regional tensions in a statement to FRANCE 24, as Iran continued retaliatory strikes following a week of US-Israeli military actions. The ambassador’s comments came amid heightened diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the conflict, with Oman playing a key role in mediating between Iran and other regional actors.
According to web search results, Oman’s Foreign Minister has been in communication with his Iranian counterpart to discuss avenues for de-escalation. This follows a meeting between U.S. Vice President Vance and Iranian representatives in Washington, as reported on February 28, 2026. Ambassador Hajlaoui’s remarks to FRANCE 24 are understood to support these ongoing diplomatic initiatives.
The Sultanate of Oman has historically maintained close ties with Iran, and has frequently served as a discreet intermediary in regional disputes. On December 9, 2025, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik received a written message from French President Emmanuel Macron, delivered by Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, the Foreign Minister, and Nicolas Forissier, Minister Delegate for Foreign and Economic Attractiveness. The message emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in areas such as renewable energy, tourism, and infrastructure, according to the Times of Oman.
The French ambassador’s statement as well comes after a meeting between the Omani army chief of staff and his French counterpart in Muscat on February 2, 2025. Nabil Hajlaoui was in attendance at that meeting, alongside the French military attache. The discussions focused on regional security concerns, though specific details were not publicly released.
Ambassador Hajlaoui, who also authored an article for the Oman Observer discussing the shared vision between France and Oman, has not publicly elaborated on the specifics of his conversation with FRANCE 24. The French embassy in Muscat has not released a transcript or further details regarding the ambassador’s statement. As of today, March 8, 2026, the situation remains fluid, with diplomatic channels remaining open.
