President Donald Trump (R-FL) threatened to bomb the U.S. ally Oman on Monday if it interferes with negotiations with Iran [1, 2].
The threat marks a sharp escalation in diplomatic tensions with a key Arabian Peninsula partner during a critical effort to restore global shipping routes.
Trump said the U.S. would bomb Oman if the country gets in the way of Washington's talks with Iran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz [1, 3]. The Strait has been largely closed for nearly six months during the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict [1].
"We will bomb the s*** out of Oman if it gets in the way," Trump said [3]. He said the U.S. will not tolerate any ally that blocks efforts to reopen the waterway [1].
The warnings come as a 60-day deadline for the negotiations approaches [2]. Trump said the military action would be triggered if Oman tries to go its own way on the Iran talks [2].
Reports differ on how the president delivered the warning. Some sources said the threat was made during a phone interview [2], while others said it occurred during a televised press briefing [3].
Oman has traditionally served as a diplomatic bridge between the U.S. and Iran. Trump said the U.S. requires its allies to follow the Washington line to ensure the success of the current diplomatic push [1, 3].
“"We will bomb the s*** out of Oman if it gets in the way."”
This rhetoric places Oman in a precarious position as a traditional mediator. By threatening a strategic ally, the U.S. administration is signaling that it prioritizes the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz over long-standing diplomatic norms and partner stability in the region.
