President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it interferes with a United States deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking to Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, Trump said, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” while referring to talks involving Oman and Iran.
Iran and Oman have been discussing future navigation arrangements through the strategic waterway for several weeks.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry said both countries are working on a joint declaration regarding the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump has repeatedly claimed that the waterway is under US control, even though shipping traffic has remained restricted since the conflict began.
Last Friday, he also said he could declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, but Iran insisted the vital waterway “will remain Iranian.”
The strait was regarded as an international shipping route before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war with Iran.
Tehran has used its control of the passage as leverage against US efforts to weaken its military and pressure it over its nuclear programme.
Trump also called on Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender” and said he was not rushing to reach an agreement despite growing political pressure at home.
He further claimed his administration has a direct back-channel with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, adding, “They’re good poker players, but they’re dying.”
