President Donald Trump said he would not accept any deal allowing Iran and Oman to control the Strait of Hormuz [1, 2].
The statement marks a significant escalation in rhetoric toward Oman, a traditional diplomatic partner, and underscores the U.S. commitment to maintaining open access to one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting this week, Trump said that the waterway consists of international waters [1, 4]. He said that the U.S. would not allow any nation to control the passage, asserting that the U.S. would instead watch over it [2, 4].
During the meeting, Trump specifically targeted Oman's role in the region. He said that Oman will behave just like everyone else or the U.S. will have to blow them up [1, 2, 3].
Trump said he rejected the possibility of a short-term agreement that would grant regional control to Iran and Oman [1, 2]. He said that such an arrangement is unacceptable due to security concerns and the international status of the waters [1, 4].
This rhetoric follows a period of heightened tension in the Strait of Hormuz, where the U.S. has historically sought to prevent Iranian dominance. By including Oman in these warnings, the administration signals a shift in how it views the neutrality of the Gulf state in the face of Iranian influence [1, 5].
Trump said that no single entity should hold authority over the strait [2]. He said that the U.S. would ensure the waterway remains open and under international standards of navigation [1, 4].
“"Oman will behave just like everyone else or we’ll have to blow them up."”
This rhetoric signals a departure from traditional U.S. diplomatic engagement with Oman, which has long served as a mediator between Washington and Tehran. By threatening a military response to a potential joint-control agreement, the administration is prioritizing absolute maritime freedom of navigation over regional diplomatic stability, potentially risking the strategic partnership with Muscat to prevent Iranian leverage in the Gulf.
