Trump threatens to bomb Oman if it impedes US-Iran Strait of Hormuz talks

Trump Vows Aerial Strikes on Oman Over Strait of Hormuz Dispute

A 60-Day Window Closes

Poinews.com – The memorandum of understanding that Washington and Tehran signed in June has now lapsed. That accord had obligated Iran to reopen the waterway and confirm it “shall not procure or develop nuclear weapons,” while the United States pledged to lift its naval blockade and ease sanctions. The framework granted both sides sixty days to negotiate a permanent settlement — a deadline that has now passed without a final deal in place.

Tehran and Muscat Push Toward a Shipping Accord

With the MoU expired, Iran remains engaged in active negotiations with Oman aimed at establishing a protected corridor for commercial vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz — the chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, through which roughly one-quarter of global seaborne oil flows.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state media earlier this month that talks with Oman had reached their “final stages,” though he cautioned that any bilateral pact would not automatically mean the strait would be reopened. Additional “conditions,” he noted, still needed to be satisfied.

On Monday, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed via Fars news agency that negotiations were ongoing and that both sides were moving toward a joint framework. He indicated that an “understanding” had been struck on the “navigation route map” for the waterway.

“Insecurity in the Strait of Hormuz was imposed on us, the region, and the entire world. This is a highly complex issue, and for the first time a mechanism is to be established that both safeguards the sovereignty and sovereign rights of the two coastal states (Iran and Oman) and ensures the safe passage of commercial vessels through this waterway.”

Trump’s Bombing Threat

In a Monday interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump warned that the United States would strike Oman militarily should the Gulf state obstruct Washington’s talks with Tehran over the strait.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s— out of them.”

The president had already asserted American dominance over the waterway in a Truth Social post last week, writing: “The U.S.A. has total control over the Strait of Hormuz. I THINK WE WILL KEEP IT.” The strait had been effectively shut by Tehran following the outbreak of the Iran war in late February.

On Friday, Trump went further, apparently in jest, suggesting he would soon declare the strait “a territory of the United States.” The remark drew a sharp rebuke from Tehran.

Tehran’s Retort

Kazem Gharibabadi, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister for legal and international affairs, took to X to push back, insisting the waterway’s status was non-negotiable.

“The Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian. This strait will only be closed and opened under Iran’s command, and as long as you do not accept the reality of defeat and cease your fanciful delusions, Iran will continue to enforce the blockade.”