Historically regarded purely as rentier states and economic powerhouses, over the past months the Gulf states have increasingly taken on mediation roles and have become the architects of soft power in the Middle East. From prisoner exchanges to ceasefires, the Gulf Arab nations have taken center stage in mediation efforts, at times picking up previously European-led initiatives.
In a region marked by geopolitical rivalry and conflicts, Oman and Qatar have carved out their own diplomatic roles as mediators. Despite lacking the hard power and the geographical advantage that other regional heavyweights such as Saudi Arabia or Turkey possess, these two small states have positioned themselves as key actors.
While both Doha and Muscat are influential mediators in regional diplomacy, they employ different approaches shaped by their own political contexts, priorities and experiences. Known as the “interlocutor state,” Oman adopts a quiet form of mediation with a low-profile and back-channel approach while Qatar is seen as a high-stakes mediator with a more visible and assertive manner.
Interlocutor state
In comparison to fellow Gulf states, Oman’s neutrality in regional conflicts has earned the trust of the parties seeking mediation, such as the US, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Under the leadership of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said and now Sultan Haitham bin Tariq, Muscat has maintained cordial relations with a range of actors.
Its discretion, neutrality and behind-the-scenes engagement has helped the country establish itself as a key interlocutor between geopolitical foes – most notably between Washington and Tehran.
Oman has played an instrumental role in bringing the two arch-rivals to the negotiating table, even if through indirect talks. Since the 2015 nuclear deal to current talks in Muscat and Rome, Oman has been the chief negotiator in talks between the US and Iran.
It has also played a pivotal role in dialogue between Saudi Arabia and Iran – two former regional rivals that have backed different sides to conflicts over the past decade. Its neutral stance throughout the various conflicts in the Middle East were crucial in bringing Riyadh and Tehran to the table, culminating in an agreement in 2023 to restore diplomatic relations that Iraq also played a role in.
The main battleground between Saudi Arabia and Iran was Yemen, with Riyadh supporting the government and Tehran providing military assistance to the Houthi rebels. Unlike Saudi Arabia and the UAE, Oman refrained from taking sides in Yemen, keeping the diplomatic channels open with both the Saudi-backed government and the Houthis. It has hosted talks between the two sides and has facilitated prisoner exchanges.
Most recently, this month, it also secured a ceasefire between the US and the Houthis – the first of its kind. Under US President Donald Trump, Washington intensified its strikes on the Houthis in Yemen in response to the rebels carrying out attacks on vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, as well as on Israel. The Houthis claim the attacks are in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza where Israel launched a devastating war on October 7, 2023 after an unprecedented Hamas attack.
The agreement brokered by Muscat between Washington and the rebels led to a cessation of hostilities and a commitment from both sides to refrain from targeting each other, including US vessels in the waterways.
Beyond these mediations, Oman has also kept the channels open with various regional actors including Syria and Iraq. By prioritising dialogue over conflict, it has earned the respect of different regional stakeholders, becoming a prominent mediator.
Even during the Gulf blockade of Qatar, when Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt severed relations with Doha, Oman remained neutral and refrained from joining. The decision was rooted in its long-standing policy of non-intervention. Moreover, it provided support to Qatar by facilitating the rerouting of Qatari shipments through its own ports, replacing the UAE.
High-stakes mediator
Positioned as a “high-stakes mediator,” Qatar approaches conflict resolution in a different manner, engaging in both public and private diplomatic spheres with a broad spectrum of actors including states and non-state groups often cut off by the internal community.
Qatar has also employed its significant financial resources into mediation as well as projecting its influence through Al Jazeera and the annual Doha forum which sees high-level officials discussing policy in the country. Its diplomacy is arguably tied to its image and branding as a global hub with a leading media network, conference, institutions and hosting sporting events such as the World Cup.
This multifaceted approach has enhanced its position as a leading regional player and as a trust mediator with global reach.
Qatar’s highest-stake mediation was hosting negotiations between the US and the Taliban that saw the 2020 Doha Agreement and the American withdrawal from Afghanistan. It was also among the first countries to engage with the Taliban and with the new Syrian authorities in Damascus after the ousting of former president Bashar Al Assad.
Doha’s approach is more visible than Oman’s for example but this visibility can at times attract scrutiny and criticism, particularly when dealing with groups such as Hamas.
Qatar’s most crucial mediation role over the past year and a half has been aimed at securing a ceasefire in Gaza between Israel and Hamas. Two fragile truces were secured in November 2023 and in January 2025 but both were broken and the war wages on.
Despite its efforts, Qatar’s mediation has faced challenges.
In April 2024, Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani indicated that Qatar was re-evaluating its role in the mediation process due to concerns that some parties were using the mediation for “narrow political interests” . In November 2024, Qatar suspended its mediation efforts, citing a lack of willingness and seriousness from the parties involved to end the war. It soon returned to talks and continues to mediate talks.
The US has also engaged in direct talks with Hamas in Qatar this year for the first time.
Qatar’s mediation efforts have garnered international attention. While some countries have expressed skepticism regarding its ties to Hamas, others have recognised its role in facilitating dialogue and humanitarian aid.
In the biggest recognition yet, during his Gulf tour this month that saw him visit Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Qatar, Trump praised Qatar’s role in regional mediation. In addition to touching upon the need for a resolution to the war in Gaza, Trump said Iran should thank Qatar’s Emir for his role in reaching progress in Washington’s talks with Tehran.
Alongside Oman, Qatar has also been pivotal in US-Iran talks throughout the years. In September 2023, it mediated a huge prisoner swap between the two foes where five Americans were released in exchange for five Iranians and $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds that were transferred to Qatar.
While their soft power strategies have yielded results, both states face limitations. Oman’s economic constraints and low-profile policy limit the scale of its influence. Qatar, meanwhile, has faced accusations of bias in mediations and has seen backlash, such as the 2017 Gulf crisis.
Both demonstrated that effective mediation in the Middle East does not follow one single model and the spectrum of methods is vast. But, Oman and Qatar are not the only Gulf mediators.
Gulf mediation hub
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are also key players when it comes to conflict resolution between strong powers. These states, by contrast, pursue mediation as part of broader efforts to assert themselves in the region and on the global stage. Their initiatives are often tied to their own national interests, alliances, and security concerns.
Another difference is that they often get involved in shaping post-conflict outcomes rather than just purely mediating. But those familiar with the mediation processes deny competition between the Gulf states when it comes to mediation, adding that the efforts complement each other.
For instance, both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been involved in mediation attempts between Russia and Ukraine. Both Gulf states have capitalised on their neutral stance and relations with both Moscow and Kyiv.
Riyadh has supported international efforts to bring the three-year war in Ukraine to an end, including by endorsing US initiatives. Saudi Arabia hosted Ukrainian, US, and Russian officials for discussions. Moreover, it has also held the most high-level talks between the US and Russia since the Cold War.
The UAE has taken on a more direct role in mediating between Russia and Ukraine, facilitating the release of more than 4,000 prisoners on both sides. The UAE has also offered to host peace talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskt , aiming to provide a neutral arena for the negotiations.
Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE are committed to mediating the Russia-Ukraine conflict, their approaches differ. Saudi Arabia focuses on supporting broader international efforts and providing a neutral platform for dialogue, whereas the UAE has taken a more proactive role in facilitating direct exchanges and offering to host peace talks. Both nations aim to contribute to a peaceful resolution of the conflict through their respective diplomatic channels.
The UAE has also been involved in back channel negotiations between the US and Iran. UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash was entrusted by the US in March to deliver a letter from Trump to supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei proposing direct talks. Iran, however, responded through Oman, its trusted mediator.
With the numerous changes in the region over the past months and as the war in Gaza has brought Israel and Iran to direct confrontation, Tehran’s weakening stance is an opportunity for Gulf states to wage their influence in the region. Their strong ties to the US – highlighted by Trump picking them as his first trip abroad – have also strengthened their confidence.
Iran’s proxy groups have been largely defeated and the decline of Hezbollah in Lebanon and the change in power in Damascus has provided Saudi Arabia to consolidate influence in the countries once again. Riyadh played a pivotal role in the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon’s president, marking renewed engagement in Lebanese politics after years of staying away due to growing Iranian influence through Hezbollah.
Last week, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also flew in Syrian leader Ahmad Al Shara to Riyadh and meet with Trump to allow him to argue his own case for sanction relief. It was a success. Trump surprisingly announced the US would lift sanctions on Syria.
Each Gulf nation is seeking its own place on the global political stage, growing more influential with each mediation. Oman remains the quiet and trustworthy diplomat, Qatar a diplomatic mediator, the UAE a champion of humanitarian relief and Saudi Arabia a political and economic mediator.
Sara Abrahamian is a GSPI fellow focusing on Gulf states and the wider Middle East and North Africa
