President Trump warned on Monday that the United States would initiate military strikes against Oman if the Gulf nation interferes with American efforts to manage the Strait of Hormuz during ongoing negotiations with Iran. Speaking during a phone interview with Fox News, Trump addressed diplomatic discussions between Tehran and Muscat regarding maritime transit. The president made clear his stance on potential interference, stating, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb [expletive] them”.
The president’s remarks coincided with the expiration of a 60-day memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, which had temporarily instituted a truce period following months of military engagement. Trump signaled that the U.S. naval blockade of Iranian ports continues to exert significant economic pressure on Tehran. Indicating that he is under no diplomatic or political timeline to conclude the confrontation, Trump noted, “I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry”.
Prior to the president’s warning, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that Tehran and Muscat had made progress on a bilateral plan governing maritime traffic through the vital shipping channel. Baghaei reported to news outlets that “an understanding has been reached regarding the map of the transit route,” though he acknowledged that regional negotiations had progressed slowly. Iranian officials stressed that any independent routing agreement with Oman would not automatically result in the immediate reopening of the waterway to all commercial traffic.
The strategic passage remains a central flashpoint in the broader regional conflict that began in late February. In addition to his comments regarding Muscat, Trump reiterated Washington’s core strategy regarding Iran’s defense posture. Writing on social media on Monday, Trump emphasized that “The number one Goal is, and always will be, that Iran cannot have, in any way, shape, or form, a Nuclear Weapon”.
Oman has long functioned as a diplomatic mediator between Washington and Tehran. The latest friction highlights the growing pressure on neutral Gulf states as the U.S. enforces its naval blockade while regional powers attempt to establish independent transit frameworks. U.S. officials have maintained that Washington intends to secure unrestricted navigation through international waters regardless of parallel diplomatic initiatives.
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