Former President Donald Trump has once again issued a threat to bomb Oman if the country interferes with U.S. interests, stating, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the sh-t out of them.” Trump made the remarks to Fox News reporter Trey Yingst on Monday.
Trump further elaborated to reporters, suggesting that Oman had not behaved appropriately but that the U.S. could "handle them very easily, just like we do other things." The specific actions or reasons behind Trump's ire toward Oman remain unclear. TIME has reached out to the White House for comment.
The former president's pronouncements coincide with reports that Iran and Oman are close to finalizing an arrangement to govern commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. This vital waterway is a critical chokepoint for global oil transport.
Tehran has maintained that the administration of the Strait should remain exclusively between Iran and Oman. Iran has previously proposed implementing fees for passage, while Oman suggested a system of voluntary fees in late July. These discussions occur against a backdrop of tenuous U.S.-Iran diplomacy, with Iranian officials denying direct talks and contradicting claims that Iran is seeking a deal with the U.S.
The 60-day deadline for the U.S. and Iran to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement expired Monday without a resolution. The two nations had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on June 17, which included provisions for lifting the U.S. naval blockade on Iran and ensuring toll-free passage through the Strait of Hormuz. The MOU also stipulated that Iran would discuss the future administration of the waterway with Oman.