Trump threatens to 'blow up' Oman as US-Iran talks stall
“Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up,” Trump said in surprising comments on Wednesday.
WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened military action against Oman if the Gulf state were to partner with Iran in asserting joint control over the Strait of Hormuz.
What happened: Speaking during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump dismissed the prospect of any country controlling the strategic waterway, through which roughly a fifth of global oil shipments generally transit.
“Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it. That’s part of the negotiation that we have. They would like to control it,” Trump said.
Trump then directed comments at Oman following reports that Muscat and Tehran are discussing a fee system for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
“Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up. They understand that. They’ll be fine,” Trump said.
PRESIDENT TRUMP: The Strait is going to be open to everybody. It’s international waters. We’ll watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it.
— Department of State (@StateDept) May 27, 2026
Oman will behave like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that. pic.twitter.com/hCs1tIhZGP
Bloomberg first reported on May 21 that Iran was in discussions with Oman about imposing fees on vessels passing through the strait. The New York Times, citing two sources familiar with the talks, later reported that the discussions did not involve a proposal to levy a toll for passage through the strait, but rather “a proposal to charge vessels fees for services.”
Reached by Al-Monitor, Omani officials were not immediately available for comment.
Background: The comments surprised regional observers given Oman’s status as one of Washington’s closest Arab Gulf partners. The two countries have maintained defense cooperation agreements for decades, allowing US forces access to Omani ports and air bases critical to operations in the Gulf and Indian Ocean. Oman also enjoys a free trade agreement with the United States.
Oman has long served as a mediator between the United States and Iran, including by facilitating secret back-channel talks that helped pave the way for the 2015 nuclear deal reached under former President Barack Obama.
Before the United States and Israel launched their military campaign on Feb. 28, Oman hosted indirect talks between the two sides. In early February, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met in Muscat for nuclear negotiations that were ultimately unsuccessful.
Muscat has also cultivated ties with Iran and positioned itself as an intermediary in regional disputes.
Know more: Trump suggested on Wednesday that any future deal with Iran could hinge on broader normalization with Israel by Saudi Arabia and other Muslim-majority countries.
“I'm not sure we should make the deal if they don't sign," Trump said.
Despite saying over the weekend that an agreement to end the Middle East war was close, Trump indicated Wednesday that he was in no rush to finalize a deal.
