Oman Silent on Flydubai Hijacking Attempt, Denies Overemphasis

Oman has remained silent regarding the attempted hijacking of a Flydubai flight and the identity of the perpetrator, co-pilot Maam Al-Maami, who was revealed to be an Israeli resident. While other Gulf states have broken their initial silence, and the stabbed pilot issued a statement, Oman has yet to respond. US media reported that Al-Maami, who allegedly attempted to crash the plane with its Israeli passengers, previously worked for Oman Air but was dismissed on suspicion of radicalization. The Wall Street Journal noted that it is unclear if these suspicions were shared with Flydubai before they hired him.

Despite the ongoing reports, Omani lawyer and former judge Khalifa Al-Hina'i posted on social media platform X, addressing the incident. He stated that no official body had released accurate information about the circumstances or nationalities involved. Al-Hina'i criticized what he called "hostile accounts" for quickly spreading unverified narratives to slander Oman and its people. He emphasized that even if the co-pilot holds Omani citizenship or origin, the responsibility for his actions is personal and criminal, not collective. He argued that attributing blame to an entire nation for an individual's act is a moral failure and that the focus on Oman is excessive and hasty, aiming to distract from other issues.

Al-Hina'i also pointed out that legally, Oman has the right to prosecute if the perpetrator's identity is confirmed as Omani, but this does not preclude the airline's country from taking legal action. He concluded by stating that Oman is aware of campaigns against it due to its stances and wisdom, and that the nation stands united behind its leadership, remaining resilient against malicious intent.

Oman has historically played a significant role as a mediator, particularly in negotiations between Iran and the US, hosting talks on its territory. However, its proximity to Iran across the Strait of Hormuz complicates its neutrality in the Iran-US conflict. Recent reports indicate ongoing discussions between Oman and Iran regarding the future management of the Strait of Hormuz, with conflicting reports on Oman's stance on transit fees. This has led to a surprising threat from then-US President Donald Trump, warning Oman of potential bombing if it obstructed US interests.

Despite these discussions, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified that any agreement with Oman would not signify a reopening of the Strait, and Iran's conditions for reopening the strategic waterway involve the US returning to its commitments under the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding. The Sultanate of Oman, led by Haitham bin Tarik Al Said, is known for its discreet diplomatic efforts to maintain good relations with various regional powers. Past Israeli visits, including by Netanyahu and former Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, occurred in 2018 and the 1990s, but progress stalled due to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict's stagnation. Oman's population is unique, predominantly belonging to the moderate Ibadi branch of Islam, though it also hosts Shia immigrants from various countries, including Iran, who maintain ties with their homelands. Unlike other mediators, Oman typically avoids making public statements, a pattern observed following the recent hijacking attempt.