As the gateway between the Arab states and Persia, Muscat is a port town bound to be attractive to foreign powers. For the past few hundred years, the state was under the tenuous control of the Portuguese and the Ottomans, constantly vying to occupy the Sea of Oman's entryway for their imperial ambitions. However, between the petty squabbles of the colonials — the rulership of Muscat always kept a mercantile mind, tipping between subjugation and isolation since time immemorial.

This trading game ended when Britain's influence grew uncontested in the Middle East by the late 19th century, with Oman's dream of independence buried by treaties and documents. Despite losing nominal autonomy, the Sultans of the Al Said dynasty retained firm control over Muscat and its surrounding cities, with the overlords from London being a hidden boon as they fended off tribal incursions in exchange for the geographical benefits of the strait. During this period, the city saw continued trade with the traditional partners of India and the Persians.

Following the fall of the English mainland, the shadow over the Middle East dissipated almost immediately, and the Italians were eager to seize much of the Levant and the Gulf for their leisure. While the Omanis are not inclined to repeat the same mistake of falling under the sway of Europeans, for the time being, cooperation under loose terms appears to be the safest path to tread.