President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open and warned Oman it would face military action if it attempted to control the waterway [1].
The remarks signal a high-stakes approach to one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints. Any disruption to the Strait could trigger global energy price spikes and ignite direct conflict between the U.S. and regional powers.
Speaking during a U.S. Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said the Strait of Hormuz is international waters that must stay open to everybody [1]. He said that no single entity would be permitted to control the passage and that the U.S. would maintain surveillance over the area [1].
Trump specifically addressed Oman, warning the nation against cooperating with Iran to assert control over the region [2]. He said that Oman must behave or the U.S. would have to blow them up [2].
The President said that the openness of the Strait is essential for global trade [1]. He said that the U.S. intends to ensure the waterway remains accessible to all international shipping [1].
"Nobody's going to control it. We're going to watch over it," Trump said [1].
“"Behave or we'll have to blow 'em up."”
The Strait of Hormuz is a vital artery for the global economy, with a significant portion of the world's petroleum passing through it. By threatening Oman—traditionally a neutral mediator in the region—Trump is signaling a shift toward an aggressive deterrent strategy to prevent Iran from leveraging the waterway as a geopolitical tool.
