U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to launch a devastating attack on Oman if the country obstructs efforts to reach an agreement with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. At the same time, he called on Iran to surrender.
In an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst on Monday, August 17, Trump said, “If Oman gets in the way, we will launch a devastating attack on them.”
Trump was referring to ongoing discussions between Oman and Iran over control and future navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. The United States is also conducting separate talks with Iran.
Iranian and Omani officials have been discussing rules governing future shipping through the Strait of Hormuz for several weeks. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said Monday that the two countries were working on a joint declaration.
Trump, however, has repeatedly argued that the United States should control the strategic waterway. Following the outbreak of war in the Middle East on February 28, Iran effectively established control over the strait, causing a significant reduction in maritime traffic.
Last Friday, Trump also claimed that he could, if he wanted, declare the Strait of Hormuz part of U.S. territory. Iran responded by saying that the strategically important waterway, which it considers to have been subjected to a U.S.-led blockade, “will remain Iran’s.”
Iran has been using its control over the Strait of Hormuz as an important tool in its confrontation with pressure led by the United States. Tehran has used the waterway to increase pressure on Washington’s efforts to destroy Iran’s military capabilities and halt its nuclear program.
Iran lies along the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman is located to the south.
Meanwhile, Yingst said in a post on X that Trump had called on Iran to “wave the white flag and surrender.”
Despite growing public dissatisfaction in the United States over the war, Trump said he was not rushing to reach an agreement.
The conflict has also taken on political significance ahead of the U.S. midterm elections in November. The opposition Democratic Party is seeking to challenge the Republican Party’s control of Congress, making the war an increasingly important political issue for Trump’s administration.
