On the basis of field observations in the Huqf area in eastern Oman, Montenat et al. (2003) defined an extensional phase of faulting of Aptian age in the Arabian platform (see also Montenat and Barrier, 2002). We recently revisited the fault exposures of the Wadi Sha'bat al Tawraq from which this conclusion has been drawn (location in Figure 1a). Our observations contradict those of Montenat et al. (2003), and consequently our conclusions are opposite from theirs. Here we review the conflicting observations and discuss the different interpretations.