Trump Threatens Oman Over Iran Strait Deal as 60-Day Talks Expire
Apnews · 3 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
U.S. President Donald Trump has escalated threats against Oman, telling Fox News reporter Trey Yingst that America would bomb the Gulf nation if it "gets in the way" of U.S. objectives regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The threats come as Oman and Iran near completion of a joint statement on managing the strategic waterway, through which roughly one-fifth of the world's traded oil supplies passed before the Iran war began. The 60-day negotiating window between Washington and Tehran expired this week with no extension and both sides seemingly as far apart as when discussions began.
Key Points
- Trump told Fox News reporter Trey Yingst that the U.S. would bomb Oman if it "gets in the way," using an expletive for emphasis .
- This marks the second time Trump has threatened Oman; in May, he said during a Cabinet meeting that "Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up" .
- Iran announced it has reached an agreement with Oman on a plan for ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, with ships entering through a route close to Iran and exiting through a route close to Oman .
- Under the proposed deal, ships would transit without paying fees or tolls during an interim period, with details still being finalized for a joint statement .
- Iran effectively closed the strait after Israel and the U.S. attacked the country on February 28, and the U.S. has sought to reopen it before ending its blockade of Iranian ports .
- The 60-day negotiating period launched when the U.S. and Iran signed an interim agreement has expired with no sign of extension .
- Oman, with a population of just over 5 million, has allowed the U.S. military to use its facilities, though defense relations are smaller in scale compared with Gulf neighbors like the United Arab Emirates .
- Regional officials say Trump threatened Oman because he is unhappy it is close to a deal with Iran over the strait, with widespread thinking that Iran is not in much of a hurry .
- Trump dismissed the expiration of the 60-day deadline as irrelevant, saying there was no timeline and no planned talks with Iran .
Why It Matters
The Strait of Hormuz represents a critical chokepoint for global oil markets, and any prolonged closure or unilateral management by Iran could send shockwaves through energy prices worldwide. Trump's escalating threats against a neutral mediator like Oman risks further isolating the United States diplomatically and undermines the multilateral approach needed to resolve the Iran conflict peacefully .
The Strait of Hormuz represents a critical chokepoint for global oil markets, and any prolonged closure or unilateral management by Iran could send shockwaves through energy prices worldwide. Trump's escalating threats against a neutral mediator like Oman risks further isolating the United States diplomatically and undermines the multilateral approach needed to resolve the Iran conflict peacefully .