Donald Trump has threatened to "bomb the s*** out of" Oman if the Middle Eastern nation proceeds with negotiations with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz without American approval. The remarks come as a 60-day ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran is set to expire.
Oman, a key U.S. defense ally, is currently engaged in discussions with Iran concerning a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which approximately one-fifth of global oil passes. The proposal involves placing the strait under joint control. Trump has previously stated that Iran will not be permitted to control the waterway by imposing levies or taxes on U.S.-backed oil tankers.
During a Fox News interview on Monday morning, Trump issued a direct warning, stating, "If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the s*** out of them." He reiterated a similar threat in May during a cabinet meeting, asserting, "Oman will behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up."
The Strait of Hormuz has been closed since late February following U.S. and Israeli airstrikes. Its reopening is a significant point of contention in ongoing peace talks.
Oman has a history of mediating between the U.S. and Iran, having played a role in brokering the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal. The country has maintained its status as a U.S. defense partner in the Middle East since 1980.
Trump's latest threats against Oman coincide with the expiration of the U.S.-Iran ceasefire, raising concerns about the potential for renewed conflict that could further destabilize the region and disrupt global oil supplies. This situation is exacerbated by past incidents, such as an oil tanker fire reported near Basra, Iraq, following an Iranian strike.
