The Arabian Gulf has been of great importance since ancient times to this day, as it is the living artery that connects the East and the West, and through its ports and commercial centers, various goods and products are transported due to its distinguished strategic location, which made it the focus of attention of the colonial countries that competed over it throughout the previous centuries, especially at the end of the nineteenth century between France and Britain. Oman alone was afflicted with three issues that caused British-French relations to reach a state of crisis between the two parties, which almost led to devastating wars between them as a result of Britain's keenness to close any gap through which any European colonial influence might be able to infiltrate the region in order to secure their renewed interests in the Indian continent. Since the end of the Seven Years' War (1756-1763 AD) between Britain and France, Britain's interest in the Arabian Gulf changed.

 It was no longer commercial as before, but rather became more political. Consequently, their desire to dominate and monopolize the region increased, especially with the decline of the Dutch in the Arabian Gulf region. The British thought that they had monopolized the region, only to be surprised by the fierce competition of the French, which ignited the flames of wars and conflicts between them. Perhaps the most important issues that worsened the relationship between the two parties, specifically in Oman, were the issue of the French establishing a coal station in Bandar Jissah, the issue of raising the French flag on Omani ships, and the issue of the spread of weapons and ammunition in Oman and the Arabian Gulf. These three issues occurred simultaneously during the reign of Sultan Faisal bin Turki Al Busaidi (1864-1913).‏