The various parties in Oman begin to solicit support from outside powers in the 1730s.

Saif bin Sultan II, with his power dwindling, eventually asks for help against his rival—his cousin Bal'arab bin Himyar, Imam of the Omani interior—from Nader Shah of Persia.

A Persian force arrives in March 1737 and, joined by Saif bin Sultan, marches to Az Zahirah, where they meet and rout the forces of Bal'arab bin Himyar.

The Persians advance through the interior, capturing towns, killing, looting and taking slaves, then reembark for Persia with their plunder.

Bal'arab bin Himyar, defeated in 1737, agrees to renounce his claim to be Imam.

Saif bin Sultan II is undisputed ruler of Oman for a few years after this, but continues his self-indulgent life, which turns the tribes against him.

Sultan bin Murshid, another member of the Yaruba family is proclaimed Imam in February 1742.

Installed at Nakhal, Sultan bin Murshid begins to hound Saif bin Sultan, who again appeals to the Persians for help and promises to cede Sohar to them.

A Persian expedition arrives at Julfar around October 1742.

They besiege Sohar and send forces to Muscat, but are unable to take either place.

Saif is tricked in 1743 into letting the Persians take Fort Al Jalali and Fort Al-Mirani, which guards the harbor of Muscat; he dies soon after.

The Imam Sultan bin Murshid is mortally wounded in mid-1743 under the walls of Sohar.

Bal'arab bin Himyar is elected Imam in his place.