Trump Threatens Oman With Bombing Over Strait Of Hormuz Talks

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bomb Oman if it interferes with a US agreement with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while also calling on Tehran to surrender.

AFP reported that Trump made the remarks during an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, in reference to ongoing discussions between Oman and Iran over arrangements for navigation through the strategic waterway.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump told Yingst, according to the journalist.

Iranian and Omani officials have been holding talks for weeks over future maritime navigation arrangements through the shipping route. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that both sides were working on a joint declaration.

Trump, however, has repeatedly insisted that the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran effectively closed at the beginning of the Middle East war on February 28, is under US control, despite the continued movement of some vessels through the waterway.

On Friday, Trump said he could even declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, prompting Iran to insist that the strategic waterway “will remain Iranian.”

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Before the US-Israeli war against Iran began, the Strait of Hormuz was regarded as an open international waterway. The route carries a significant share of global energy shipments as well as other commodities.

Tehran has used its effective control over the strait as leverage against US-led efforts to destroy its military capabilities and force it to abandon its controversial nuclear programme.

Iran borders the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman lies along its southern side.

Trump also called on Iran to surrender, according to Yingst’s post on X about his interview with the president.

“Put up the white flag of surrender,” Trump said, according to Yingst.

The US president maintained that he was in no rush to reach an agreement with Tehran despite the domestic political pressure surrounding the war ahead of the November midterm elections.

The conflict has become increasingly unpopular among some Americans, while opposition Democrats are seeking to wrest control of Congress from Trump’s Republican Party.

Trump also told Yingst that his administration maintains a direct back-channel with officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” he was quoted as saying.