Iranian jets spotted in Oman, hinting at possible diplomatic breakthrough

At least one — and possibly up to three — Iranian government aircraft appeared to have flown to Muscat, Oman, on June 18 afternoon, prompting speculation that Tehran may be quietly reviving diplomatic efforts following a wave of Israeli military strikes.

Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 showed intermittent signals from a jet identified as JJ-25, previously associated with the Iranian government. The aircraft briefly appeared on radar over southeastern Iran before disappearing, only to reemerge near the coast with its destination listed as Muscat, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The flight path raised eyebrows given the current closure of much of the regional airspace due to Israel's ongoing military operations.

The reported destination is particularly notable, as Muscat had been set to host US-Iran nuclear talks just days earlier. Those discussions were cancelled in the wake of Israel’s offensive, launched on June 13, which dramatically heightened tensions across the region.

Israeli media later suggested that as many as three Iranian government aircraft — including one formerly used by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian — may have landed in Oman on June 18. If confirmed, the movement of multiple high-level aircraft could indicate a significant diplomatic mission, though no official statements have been issued by Tehran.

The apparent arrival of Iranian officials in Oman has fueled speculation that backchannel talks may be underway, potentially mediated by Muscat or other regional actors. Iran has reportedly reached out to several Gulf states and Moscow in recent days, seeking to de-escalate the conflict with Israel and avert broader regional destabilization.

By Vafa Guliyeva