Trump threatens Oman with attack over 'behavior'

Stark warning at Cabinet meeting

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday threatened military action against Oman if the Sultanate fails to 'behave,' delivering a stark ultimatum to the Gulf state during a Cabinet meeting at the White House. 'Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we'll have to blow them up. They understand that,' the president said, adding that 'they'll be fine' if they comply with Washington's expectations. It remains unclear what specific actions prompted the threat against the Kingdom, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment regarding the remarks.

Strait of Hormuz control

Oman has historically served as a key mediator between the United States and Iran, though recent reports indicate the Sultanate is cooperating with Tehran to establish a toll system for vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz — a critical demand from Iran amid negotiations to end the ongoing war. An Omani exclave occupies the southern tip of the strategic waterway, sitting directly across from Iran at the chokepoint's entrance. Trump insisted the strait represents 'international waters, nobody's going to control it,' while emphasizing that the United States 'is going to watch over it' as part of the broader diplomatic process.

War negotiations and ceasefire

The president expressed dissatisfaction with the current trajectory of negotiations aimed at ending the war that began on February 28, when the US and Israel launched surprise military attacks against Iranian targets. 'Either that, or we'll have to just finish the job,' Trump stated, noting that Iran is 'starting to give us the things that they have to give us' despite negotiating 'on fumes.' A ceasefire took effect April 8 through Pakistani mediation, though subsequent talks held in Islamabad failed to secure a permanent settlement to the conflict.

Trump subsequently extended the truce indefinitely while maintaining a strict blockade on vessels traveling to or from Iranian ports through the Hormuz waterway. Tehran retaliated against the initial February attacks with barrages of drones and missiles targeting US and Israeli positions across the region. Asked whether he would accept China or Russia securing Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, Trump stated, 'No, I wouldn't be comfortable,' adding that such an arrangement 'would not make me comfortable.'