In brief
President Trump reportedly warned Oman that the U.S. would bomb it if the country impeded negotiated shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. A Fox News call cited back‑channel contact with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a claim denied by Iranian officials. The 60‑day U.S.–Iran Memorandum of Understanding expired as the two sides resumed hostilities, scattering the possibility of a ceasefire. Oman, historically neutral, had been engaged by Iranian negotiators to reopen the vital waterway, bringing the middle‑east epicenter to global shipping routes.
President Donald Trump has reportedly threatened to bomb Oman if the country gets in the way of U.S. talks with Iran about the Strait of Hormuz.
In a phone call, Trump told a Fox News reporter he was in direct contact with a back‑channel to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – a claim later denied by the Iranian military.
The U.S. and Iran had signed a 60‑day Memorandum of Understanding in June to pursue a ceasefire, but the agreement ended as the two sides resumed hostilities.
Oman, aim to remain neutral, had previously been approached by Iranian negotiators to reopen the strait that carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas.
Fox reporter Trey Yingst quoted Trump saying, “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” highlighting a hard‑line stance toward Iranian influence in the region.
The U.S. has publicly stated it is not in a hurry to declare victory over Iran, emphasizing a nuclear‑weapon free trajectory for Tehran and noting that the war’s weapons stockpiles have been used “peanuts.”
