President Trump issued a stark warning against Oman, a key US ally involved in delicate negotiations with Iran, threatening to bomb the country if it interferes with US efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. This waterway is vital to global trade and has been largely obstructed by Iranian actions following strikes launched by the US and Israel earlier this year.
Oman’s geographical position along the southern border of the Strait grants it a crucial, albeit sensitive, role in these negotiations. Despite maintaining a neutral stance throughout the dispute, Oman has faced criticism and hostility from Iran on several occasions. The country has acted as a mediator in talks aiming to restore safe passage through the strait, an effort Washington strongly supports as part of its broader strategy in the region.
In a phone interview reported by Fox News, Trump used explicit language in declaring that the US would "bomb the s**t out of" Oman if it obstructed American objectives. This alarming statement highlights the administration’s uncompromising posture amid fragile negotiations.
Alongside this threat, Trump claimed that the US maintained a direct backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Iran’s powerful military and economic force. The IRGC categorically denied any such engagement, with a spokesman denying ongoing talks and dismissing Trump’s comments as baseless and a manifestation of desperation following US setbacks.
Iran and Oman have recently moved closer to formalizing their cooperation, with officials announcing the near expiration of a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding designed to facilitate vessel transit through the Strait. Tehran’s foreign ministry confirmed progress on defining the transit route, with both sides expected to finalize details soon. However, tensions remain unresolved as Iran has accused the US of violating the agreement’s terms and demanded compensation fees on cargo vessels passing through the Strait, reportedly between five and seven percent of the cargo value.
Meanwhile, Trump indicated no urgency to conclude hostilities with Iran, describing the Islamic Republic as skilled poker players who are nonetheless “dying.” His remarks underscored a willingness to maintain pressure without a fixed timeline, against the backdrop of upcoming US midterm elections influencing the administration’s approach.