President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if the country "gets in the way" of U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resolve the ongoing war with Iran.

 

Trump threatens to bomb Oman over Strait of Hormuz

President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if the country "gets in the way" of U.S. efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and resolve the ongoing war with Iran. Trump delivered the stark warning during a Fox News phone interview with reporter Trey Yingst on August 17, 2026, stating, "If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the s** out of them."*

The controversy highlights a sharp diplomatic rift between Washington and its traditional, long-time Gulf ally.

 

Why Trump is Threatening Oman

• Independent Shipping Route Talks: The escalation erupted hours after Iran announced that Tehran and Oman had reached an understanding regarding transit maps and future shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Sidestepping Washington: U.S. officials worry that Oman's independent bilateral talks with Iran could result in a deal that sidelines Washington or offers terms too favorable to Tehran.
• Expired 60-Day Deadline: The threat coincided with the expiration of a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in June between the U.S. and Iran. The deadline passed with no permanent peace deal to end the 24-week-old conflict.
• Scapegoating Claims: Some regional analysts suggest Trump is using Oman as a scapegoat for the elusive nature of a U.S.-led agreement to end the war.

Context of the Strait of Hormuz Crisis

• Global Energy Chokepoint: The Strait of Hormuz controls roughly 20% of the world’s seaborne oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.
• Virtual Standstill: Commercial shipping has been severely depressed since the U.S. and Israel launched major combat operations against Iran in February 2026.
• U.S. Territorial Ambitions: Trump asserted that the U.S. has "total control" over the strait via its current military blockade. He told reporters in the Oval Office that declaring the Strait of Hormuz a U.S. territory is "a great idea."

Responses and Wider Diplomatic Fallout

• Oman's Silence: Oman has not officially responded to Trump's public threat. Follow-up reports indicate Oman has historically attempted to stay neutral and serve as a mediator in Middle Eastern negotiations.
• Iran's Position: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei noted that talks with Oman are continuing "in all seriousness" despite U.S. rhetoric.
• Demands for Surrender: Alongside his threats to Oman, Trump publicly demanded that Iran "put up the white flag of surrender," while revealing the U.S. has established a direct backchannel to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).
• Collateral Alliances: Trump's irritation over the stalling war is bleeding into other alliances. He recently announced plans to scale back military exercises with South Korea after Seoul declined to send military assets to support U.S. operations against Iran