President Trump has made a public threat against Oman, a longstanding US ally, stating he would use military force if the country obstructs his administration’s diplomatic efforts with Iran. The warning came during a Fox News interview and pertains to separate negotiations underway between the US and Oman with Tehran regarding the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping passage that has experienced a significant closure for nearly six months amid US-Iran hostilities.
Oman occupies a strategic geographic position bordering the southern entrance to the Strait and has maintained an official stance of neutrality in the conflict despite sustaining military strikes from Iranian forces. The country has emerged as a key intermediary in discussions aimed at restoring maritime passage through the waterway, through which approximately one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas exports typically transit. Earlier the same day as Trump’s threat, Iranian officials announced they had reached an understanding with Oman regarding shipping route parameters, though final details remained pending.
The diplomatic backdrop includes an expiring 60-day Memorandum of Understanding signed on 18 June between the US and Iran, designed to establish a ceasefire and partially reopen the strait. When asked if he would seek an extension, Trump declined. A military conflict that intensified following US and Israeli operations in February has left the strait largely inaccessible, with Iran citing previous agreements violations as grounds for compensation demands estimated between 5% and 7% of cargo values.
During his Fox News discussion, Trump also claimed the US maintains direct communication channels with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a statement immediately contradicted by an IRGC spokesman who characterized such claims as false. Trump indicated he was not prioritizing rapid conflict resolution, stating he had no deadline for negotiations despite asserting Iran’s military position was deteriorating.
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