President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. would have to "blow them up" if Oman tried to control the Strait of Hormuz [1].
The statement signals a potential escalation in tensions over one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. Any disruption to the waterway could trigger global energy price volatility and threaten international maritime security.
Trump made the comments during a Cabinet meeting in Washington, D.C. [2]. He was responding to questions regarding a potential agreement on the control of the strait and addressing reports from Iranian state media [2].
Trump said that the waterway must remain open to all nations. "Oman will behave just like everybody else, and we'll have to blow them up," Trump said [3].
In a separate instance during the meeting, Trump said, "If Oman tries to control the Strait of Hormuz, we will have to blow them up" [4]. These remarks come as the administration continues to evaluate deals and regional stability in the Middle East.
The president's comments on May 27 [1] highlight a rigid stance on freedom of navigation. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, a vital artery for global petroleum exports.
“"Oman will behave just like everybody else, and we'll have to blow them up."”
This rhetoric underscores a 'maximum pressure' approach to maritime security in the Persian Gulf. By threatening a traditional ally like Oman, the U.S. administration is signaling that the strategic necessity of keeping the Strait of Hormuz open outweighs diplomatic niceties. This approach aims to deter any regional power from attempting to weaponize the chokepoint, though it risks alienating key partners in the Gulf Cooperation Council.
