Trump Threatens to Attack Oman as Iran Agreement Expires
WASHINGTON-- President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if the U.S. ally interferes with the administration’s efforts to negotiate with Iran, according to Fox News, as separate Omani-Iranian talks over reopening the Strait of Hormuz appeared to be nearing an agreement.
The comments came as the future of U.S.-Iran negotiations remained uncertain and a 60-day memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran approached its expiration.
The Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping corridor between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, has been largely closed for nearly six months amid the conflict between the United States and Iran. Roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the waterway, making its reopening a major international economic concern.
According to Fox reporter Trey Yingst, Trump made the threat during a phone interview, saying, “If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the shit out of them.” The circumstances that Trump would consider interference by Oman were not immediately clear.
The remarks came only hours after Iranian officials said Tehran and Muscat had reached an understanding on allowing vessels to navigate the strait.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters that the two countries had agreed on the basic outline of a transit route. He said officials would work out the remaining details before issuing a joint statement.
Oman, which borders the southern end of the Strait of Hormuz, has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict while becoming an increasingly important intermediary between Iran and the United States.
The country has also come under attack during the conflict, adding to the risks surrounding its diplomatic role.
Washington has separately pursued negotiations aimed at restoring commercial passage through the waterway. Trump was asked Monday in the Oval Office by a BBC reporter whether he intended to extend the 60-day memorandum governing the U.S.-Iran talks.
“No,” Trump replied.
During the Fox interview, Trump also claimed that the United States maintains a direct backchannel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a powerful military and political institution.
An IRGC spokesman rejected the claim.
“There are no talks taking place between IRGC officials and the Americans,” the spokesman told the semi-official Tasnim News Agency, accusing Trump of making false claims amid the conflict.
The competing diplomatic efforts come as the Strait of Hormuz remains at the center of international concern. Any prolonged disruption to the waterway could affect global energy supplies and send further economic shock waves through international markets.
Oman has previously characterized its discussions with Iran as constructive, but Trump’s warning introduced a new source of tension as Muscat attempted to broker an agreement with Tehran over the strategically important shipping route.