A threat by US President Donald Trump to “blow up” Oman has resurfaced online as Tehran and Muscat move towards an agreement governing shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, but the presidential remark was made nearly three months ago rather than on Monday.Trump delivered the warning on 27 May during a White House Cabinet meeting while discussing negotiations over the strategically vital waterway. He objected to any arrangement that could allow Iran or Oman to exercise control over international shipping and said Washington intended to ensure unrestricted passage through the strait.
The statement circulating on social media on Monday described the threat as “JUST IN” and suggested Trump had warned he would bomb Oman “next” if Muscat interfered with the Iran war. That framing is misleading. Trump did threaten Oman with military action, but his remarks were linked specifically to concerns over control of the Strait of Hormuz and possible charges on ships using the waterway.
Trump said at the May meeting that the strait had to remain open and described it as international waters. He then warned that Oman would have to “behave” like other countries or face being blown up. The extraordinary language immediately drew attention because Oman is a longstanding US security partner and has repeatedly served as an intermediary between Washington and Tehran.
The old remarks have gained fresh attention because Iran and Oman are now advancing negotiations over navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran said on Monday that the two governments had reached an understanding on the route ships would follow and were working to finalise details for a joint statement.
The proposed arrangement envisages mapped transit routes through waters controlled by the two coastal states. Iran and Oman have also reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the strait secure and open to international navigation while insisting that arrangements affecting the waterway respect their sovereign rights.
The negotiations carry major economic consequences. Commercial traffic through Hormuz has fallen sharply as the confrontation involving Washington and Tehran has intensified. Only five vessels were recorded transiting the waterway on Saturday and none on Sunday, compared with 31 during the previous weekend. Brent crude climbed to about $89.44 a barrel on Monday while West Texas Intermediate traded near $82.95.
Washington has maintained that Iran must not be allowed to determine which ships can cross the strait or impose unilateral restrictions on international navigation. Trump declared on 12 August that the United States had “total control” of Hormuz through its naval presence, drawing an immediate challenge from Tehran, which maintains that passage through waters under its jurisdiction remains subject to Iranian authority.
Iran’s negotiations with Oman are therefore emerging as one of the principal diplomatic channels for managing the shipping crisis. Muscat has traditionally maintained working relations with Tehran while preserving close defence and political ties with Washington, allowing it to act as an intermediary during periods when direct US-Iran communication has been limited.
The talks have become more important as a 60-day negotiating period intended to produce a broader US-Iran settlement expired on 17 August without a comprehensive agreement. The negotiations had been expected to address the conflict, Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, but deep disagreements remain over sanctions, maritime access, military operations and Iranian demands for compensation.
Trump has continued to employ increasingly forceful rhetoric over control of the waterway. He asserted last week that Washington effectively controls Hormuz and has previously threatened renewed military action if diplomacy with Tehran fails. The administration has simultaneously intensified economic pressure on Iran while demanding that commercial vessels be allowed to move through the strait without interference.
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