Oman is often portrayed as the “Switzerland of the Middle East,” but its role in the Red Sea crisis tells a different story. Far from neutral, it hosts and aids Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi group — now designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO).
On March 24, Yemeni authorities intercepted 800 Chinese drone-propellers being smuggled to the Houthis through the Sarfayt border crossing with Oman in Yemen’s al-Mahrah governorate. Yemen’s minister of information, culture, and tourism noted that the “seizure of this large cargo comes at a critical time, as the militia continues to escalate its hostile attacks that threaten the security of the Red Sea and international maritime corridors.”
Houthi Terrorism Relies on Weapons Smuggled From the Axis of Aggressors
The Houthis possess the most advanced arsenal of any organization within Iran’s “Axis of Resistance,” being the only group with medium-range ballistic missiles and anti-ship ballistic missiles. Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesman, also claims the group has launched multiple Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missiles at Israel since the United States began operations against the Houthis on March 15. The Palestine-2 is a modified version of Fattah-1, Iran’s purportedly hypersonic ballistic missile.
The Houthis have also developed advanced unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. Last August, Yemeni officials intercepted Chinese-manufactured hydrogen fuel cell components being smuggled to the Houthis. The Center for Armament Research noted, “this is the first attempted use of hydrogen fuel in uncrewed systems by any non-state armed actor, globally.”
The Houthis have deployed UAVs in combat since 2016, targeting both Saudi-led coalition forces in Yemen and targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In support of Hamas, the Houthis have launched over 300 UAVs at Israel since October 7 in addition to targeting U.S. naval vessels and commercial ships in the Red Sea.
The Defense Intelligence Agency assesses that “The Houthis assemble, repaint, and modify smuggled Iranian weapons and display them with Houthi names.” While the Houthis’ weapons are largely provided by Iran, they also receive support from Russia and China.
Omani Territory as a Conduit for Houthi Weapons and Sanctuary for Houthi Leaders
Since 2015, Oman has served as a key transit route for weapons destined for the Houthis. In 2017, drones used by the Houthis entered Yemen via Oman. A year later, the United Nations reported that Iranian Burkan-2H missiles were smuggled into Yemen through Omani territory. Last year, Yemeni authorities intercepted advanced military equipment — including drone-support systems and radar-jamming devices at the Sarfayt crossing in al-Mahra province.
Oman also provides a safe haven for Houthi officials, allowing them to operate freely under the regime’s protection in Muscat. Among those officials is Mohammed Abdul Salam, the group’s chief negotiator and de facto foreign minister. On March 5, the U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned him, citing his role in managing the Houthis’ domestic and international financing networks and facilitating their efforts to secure weapons and support from Russia.
U.S. Must Pressure Oman to End Houthi Presence in The Sultanate
The Omani government has long justified the presence of Houthi leadership on its soil as part of efforts to mediate a resolution to the Yemeni civil war. Similarly, Houthi leader Ali Al-Houthi stated, “We do not see the possibility of direct dialogue with the Americans, considering them criminal terrorists. If there is any contact, it will be through our negotiating team in the Sultanate of Oman.” However, the Houthi presence in Oman has neither helped to end the civil war nor tempered Houthi aggression in the Red Sea. The Houthis continue to attack U.S. vessels and pose an ongoing threat to American interests in the region.
Thus, the United States should demand that Oman shut down the Houthi operations within its border and expel their leadership. If Oman refuses, Washington should consider imposing sanctions on Omani individuals and entities that support the Houthis.
Ahmad Sharawi is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD) focused on Iranian intervention in Arab affairs and the Levant.Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at FDD focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. For more analysis from Ahmad, Bridget, and FDD, please subscribeHERE. Follow Ahmad on X@AhmadA_Sharawi. Follow FDD on X@FDD. FDD is a Washington, DC-based, nonpartisan research institute focusing on national security and foreign policy.