In a recent statement, Donald Trump issued a threat towards a significant US ally in the Middle East, suggesting potential military action if they fail to “behave.” This remark came as he addressed the issue of who would oversee the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime route.
During a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, a reporter questioned Trump about his stance on Oman, a longstanding ally of the United States, which has been involved in mediating the conclusion of the conflict with Iran. The inquiry also touched on the possibility of Oman sharing control of the strategic oil passageway with Tehran.
Trump responded confidently, stating, “The strait will be open to everybody,” before clarifying that no single entity would control it. “Nobody is going to control it… We will watch over it,” he asserted.
However, his focus soon shifted back to Oman, as he issued a stern warning to the nation.
“Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that. They’ll be fine,” Trump added, making it clear that he expected compliance.
The reasons behind Trump’s aggressive statement towards a Middle Eastern partner remain unclear. The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for further clarification on the President’s comments.
The Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries one-fifth of the world’s oil, has been shut since Iran closed it after US and Israeli airstrikes in late February. The strait’s reopening remains a key sticking point in peace talks.
Oman has a history of serving as a friendly mediator between the White House and the Iranian regime. The country helped broker the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and has acted as a US defense partner in the Middle East since 1980.
Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if they don’t ‘behave’ while responding to a question about who would control the Strait of Hormuz
It is unclear whether the President misspoke or why he would threaten to attack a Middle Eastern partner
Oman is longtime US ally that is helping to negotiate an end to the Iran war
Trump meets with Middle Eastern allies, including Oman Deputy Prime Minister Sayyid Asaad
The Trump administration does not appear to be backing away from the President’s threats against Oman.
The State Department amplified the warning by tweeting out a video of it shortly after the meeting ended.
Trump also made military threats against Iran throughout the meeting as he discussed the ongoing negotiations with the regime.
The President made it clear that while Iran is desperate to come to the table, the United States is holding all the cards and will not accept a subpar deal.
‘Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal,’ Trump said.
‘So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but then we will be. We will be either that, or we’ll have to just finish the job.’
The President claimed that if Iran does not make concessions to the US, then Secretary of War Pete Hegseth will ‘finish them off.’
‘I think we’ll doing very well. They are starting to give us the things that they have to give us. If they do, that’s great, and if they won’t then the man on my left is going to finish them off,’ Trump said before pointing towards a smirking Hegseth.
Trump added that Iran’s armed forces have been completely destroyed.
However, intelligence reports indicate the regime has rebuilt most of its prewar firepower, including ballistic missiles and launch pads.
Iran has seized on oil tankers moving through the Strait of Hormuz by deploying speed boats
The President claimed that Iran’s armed forces have been completely neutralized by American military
‘But the Navy is gone, as I’ve said 1000 times,’ Trump stated. ‘The Navy is gone, their Air Force is gone, everything’s gone, and they’re negotiating on fumes.
‘But we’ll see what happens. Maybe we have to go back and finish it. Maybe we don’t right now.’
Trump noted that his top envoys, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are actively working on the situation, but insisted Tehran simply has no leverage left.
The US is demanding that the regime agree to abandon its pursuit of nuclear weapons and turn over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
Tehran, however, wants Trump to lift the naval blockade on its ports, which has cut the regime off from its lucrative oil trade with China and other Southeast Asian countries.
