TEL AVIV — Israel is facing mounting concern over recent shifts in U.S. Middle East policy and growing skepticism about Oman’s longstanding role as a regional mediator. While official details remain closely guarded, credible sources and intelligence assessments indicate the situation unfolding is far more complex and potentially perilous than previously understood, casting a shadow over Israel’s national security at a time of heightened danger from Iranian-backed terror groups and regional instability.
Diplomatic Backdrop: America’s Policy Realignment
Multiple Israeli officials, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing security deliberations, have warned of a dramatic reversal in U.S. policy toward Israel—a move described as a “backflip” by U.S. President Donald Trump. The change, while not yet fully public, is believed to represent more than a diplomatic course correction. Instead, veteran diplomats now describe it as an inflection point that could recalibrate Israel’s strategic posture and the region’s security order.
Historically, Israel has relied on a strong, bipartisan relationship with the United States to deter Iranian aggression and ensure access to vital military assistance. The withdrawal of America from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), its involvement in the Abraham Accords, and support in multilateral security frameworks have all defined recent years. However, the U.S. administration’s latest adjustments—still largely concealed—are perceived as diminishing that historic commitment, fueling anxiety within Israel’s defense and diplomatic echelons.
Oman’s Mediation Under Review
In parallel, Israeli intelligence has raised serious concerns about the efficacy and impartiality of Oman as a regional interlocutor. Long considered a discreet and neutral facilitator in backchannel diplomacy—hosting indirect communications among adversaries and at times contributing to thawed relations between Israel and the Arab world—Oman has cultivated its image as an honest broker. Recent intelligence, however, points to growing alignment between Muscat and Tehran, unraveling that narrative.
According to assessments reviewed by Israeli security agencies, Oman’s engagement may have provided Iran with critical intelligence advantages—whether through intentional facilitation or unintentional leaks. This reevaluation comes at a time when Israeli officials are reassessing the risks of indirect engagement and recalibrating their diplomatic and security strategies accordingly.
War Imposed by Iran and Its Proxies
These developments unfold against the backdrop of a region destabilized by Iranian expansionism and escalating terror. On October 7, 2023, in the most devastating antisemitic massacre since the Holocaust, Hamas terrorists launched a brutal onslaught against Israeli civilians, committing atrocities including executions, sexual violence, mutilations, and mass abductions. Iran’s wider “Axis of Resistance”—encompassing Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias in Syria and Iraq—continues to threaten Israel’s borders and population centers through coordinated attacks and sophisticated psychological and cyber campaigns.
In response, Israel has exercised its inalienable right to self-defense, conducting military operations designed to degrade terror infrastructure, neutralize active threats, and secure the release of hostages taken from sovereign territory. International attention remains locked on the unfolding hostage crisis, where the moral and legal distinction between innocent civilians abducted by force and convicted terrorists offered in exchange remains a cornerstone of Israel’s position.
Strategic Consequences and Public Response
Israeli leadership—including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, and Minister of Defense Israel Katz—are now contending with a rapidly evolving landscape. The dual shock of an apparent American diplomatic shift and Oman’s potential duplicity is prompting urgent internal reviews. The Israeli public, diaspora communities, and analysts are demanding transparency and clear explanations of the implications for national security, alliances, and deterrence capabilities.
As details of the U.S. policy shift and Oman’s conduct are expected to surface in the coming days, government sources caution that the reality may be “harsher than anyone imagines.” Preparations are underway in Jerusalem for possible diplomatic and operational recalibrations, including intensified intelligence coordination and outreach to other regional actors who share Israel’s apprehensions about Iran’s ambitions.
Broader Regional Implications
The degree to which Israel can depend on traditional alliances—especially the American security umbrella—now hangs in the balance. Tehran and its agents continue to exploit every diplomatic and intelligence opening to expand their influence, embolden terror networks, and destabilize pro-Western regimes. The exposure of Oman’s mediation role as potentially compromised could disrupt longstanding covert channels, while also reshaping the calculus for future dialogue or normalization drives with moderate Arab states.
For now, Israel’s defense establishment is focused on maintaining operational readiness across all fronts: containing Hamas and reestablishing deterrence in Gaza; preparing for complex contingencies on the northern border with Hezbollah; targeting Iranian weapons transfers in Syria; and neutralizing emergent threats from Yemen and beyond. The shadow war—a relentless contest of intelligence, technology, and influence—shows no sign of abating.
Conclusion: Facing the Unknown
In the coming days, Israel’s public and policymakers will likely gain deeper insight into the U.S. administration’s true posture and Omans’ actual role in the region’s intricate political web. As Israel navigates these fresh uncertainties, the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens, upholding the nation’s moral clarity, and defending its sovereignty against terror is unwavering. In a landscape beset by adversaries and, increasingly, unreliable intermediaries, clarity, resilience, and vigilance are the watchwords guiding Israel’s next moves. The stakes, for Israel and for regional stability, have never been higher.
