Donald Trump Threatens To Blow Up Oman Over Iran Collaboration For Strait Of Hormuz Control

President Donald Trump threatened to use military force against Oman if it collaborates with Iran to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz, saying at a cabinet meeting, "Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up."

“United States President Donald Trump has threatened to use military force against Oman if it collaborates with Iran to assert control over the Strait of Hormuz”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera reported that the threat came after Iran’s state television reported on a framework of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries, which the Trump administration called "a complete fabrication."

Al Jazeera

The Guardian said Trump framed the strait as open to all, quoting him: "Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it."

Al Jazeera added that the Strait of Hormuz handles more than 20 percent of the world’s global oil traffic, and that the US and Oman are close allies with a relationship that stretches more than 200 years.

Al Jazeera quoted Raed Jarrar, the advocacy director at the US-based rights group DAWN, likening Trump’s comments to those of a "mafia boss."

Jarrar told Al Jazeera that "The UN Charter prohibits the threat of force against any state," and said the prohibition binds the United States exactly as it binds everyone else.

Bawaba Al-Shorouq

The Guardian described Trump’s remarks as a casual aside during a cabinet meeting, adding that he said, "Oman will behave just like everybody else. Or else we’ll have to blow them up."

Al Jazeera reported that the US State Department later shared the comment on social media with a transcript referring to the Arab country, after initial speculation Trump might have misspoken.

Multiple outlets tied Trump’s threat to talks over whether Iran and Oman would jointly oversee the Strait of Hormuz, with Al Jazeera describing a reported MOU draft that would give Iran and Oman joint control to manage the strait.

The Hill reported Trump rejected a short-term arrangement that would allow Oman to control the Strait of Hormuz with Iran, saying, "No, the strait’s got to be open to everybody; it’s international waters."

WION said the White House did not immediately clarify whether Trump intended to refer to Iran instead of Oman, but noted the US State Department later posted a video clip and transcript of his comments without issuing any correction.

The Guardian said the strait has been blockaded by Iran since late February, and that Trump’s threat came as he accused Iran of trying to stall the agreement and "outwait me" until November’s midterm elections in the US.