With the war in the Middle East not showing signs of stopping anytime soon, the Oman Automobile Association unsurprisingly announced Monday that the inaugural Oman International Baja has been postponed. After originally being set for March 26–28, it will now take place on December 17–19.

Officially, Oman has a neutral stance in the war between Iran and the Israel–United States tandem. While the sultanate’s relations with Israel are contentious similar to other Arab nations, it maintains friendly ties to Iran and the U.S. Muscat has even been the site to negotiations between the U.S. and Iran in years past, including nuclear peace talks in 2025.

Naturally, the sultanate tried to be a mediator again after the war began in late February, even accepting refugees. However, Iran subsequently launched a swath of drone and missile strikes on its neighbors. The country’s ports in Duqm and Salalah, which are used by the Americans, have both been hit as have oil tankers off the Omani coast. Two foreign workers and a tanker crewman have been killed.

While not necessarily denying responsibility, the Iranian government has tried to sidestep the matter when questioned by claiming it to be the work of a rogue IRGC elements or that it is “suspicious”. Iran also emphasized its “brotherly” relationship with Oman. In turn, Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said has congratulated the new Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei on his appointment but also condemned the attacks on Oman.

Oman’s location along the Strait of Hormuz further compounds matters due to Iran’s blockade to stop international shipping, leading to rising oil and gas prices.

The OAA’s announcement comes on the heels of multiple upcoming Middle Eastern motorsports events doing the same. Formula One took the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix off its calendar, while MotoGP’s Qatar race was moved to November. The Rally Jameel, an all-women rally raid in Saudi Arabia, was also postponed with no new date immediately revealed.

The Oman International Baja is a candidate race for addition to the 2027 FIA Middle East Baja Cup.

Featured image credit: Edward Stojakovic