Trump Threatens Oman With Bombing Over Strait Of Hormuz Talks

US President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a US deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while calling on Tehran to surrender.

Speaking to Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, Trump said Washington would take military action against Oman if the country interfered with its efforts to reach an agreement with Iran over control of the strategic waterway.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump said, referring to ongoing talks between Oman and Iran, while the United States is also pursuing separate negotiations.

Iranian and Omani officials have held discussions for weeks over future maritime navigation arrangements through the strait. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that both sides were working on a joint declaration.

Trump has repeatedly insisted that the Strait of Hormuz should be under US control, despite the continued restriction of maritime traffic. On Friday, he said he could even declare the waterway part of US territory.

Iran, however, rejected the claim, insisting that the strategic waterway “will remain Iranian.”

Before the outbreak of the US-Israeli war against Iran, the Strait of Hormuz was regarded as an open international waterway. The strait is a critical global energy route, carrying significant volumes of oil, gas and other commodities.

Iran has used its effective control of the waterway as leverage against US-led efforts to weaken its military capabilities and force it to abandon its controversial nuclear programme.

Iran’s coastline borders the northern side of the strait, while Oman lies to the south.

Trump also called on Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender,” according to Yingst’s account of the interview.

The US president said he was in no hurry to reach a deal with Tehran, despite growing political pressure over the war ahead of the November midterm elections.

Trump also claimed that his administration maintains a direct back-channel with officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, describing them as “good poker players” but saying they were “dying.”