By By Elizabeth Ugbo
United States President Donald Trump threatened military action against Oman on Wednesday during a cabinet meeting in Washington. He reacted to reports claiming Iran and Oman planned to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the US would “blow them up” if Oman cooperated with Iran on controlling the strategic waterway. The remarks sparked criticism from rights groups and foreign policy analysts, who accused Trump of using intimidation in international diplomacy.
Report Sparks Tension Over Hormuz Waterway
Iran’s state television earlier reported that Tehran and Muscat were discussing a memorandum of understanding. The proposed agreement would reportedly allow Iran and Oman to jointly manage the Strait of Hormuz.
However, the Trump administration quickly denied the report. US officials described the claim as “a complete fabrication”.
During the cabinet meeting, a reporter asked Trump whether he would accept a temporary arrangement allowing Iran and Oman to oversee trade in the strait.
Trump rejected the idea immediately.
“Nobody is going to control it,” he said. “It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up.”
Initially, some observers believed Trump mistakenly said “Oman” instead of “Iran”. However, the US State Department later posted the statement online with a transcript confirming he referred to Oman.
Why the Strait of Hormuz Matters
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most important oil routes. More than 20 percent of global oil shipments pass through the narrow waterway daily.
Therefore, any threat involving the strait often raises concerns across international markets and governments.
Oman has traditionally maintained a neutral foreign policy. The Gulf nation also shares strong diplomatic and economic ties with Washington.
Additionally, Oman previously served as a mediator between the US and Iran during efforts to reduce tensions after the conflict that began on February 28.
Critics Condemn Trump’s Remarks
Rights advocates strongly criticised Trump’s comments following the cabinet meeting.
Raed Jarrar, advocacy director at the US-based rights organisation DAWN, described the threat as dangerous and unlawful.
“The UN Charter prohibits the threat of force against any state,” Jarrar told Al Jazeera.
He added that threatening military action against Oman reflected the same aggressive approach that contributed to the February conflict involving Iran.
According to critics, Trump’s statement highlights his growing dependence on military pressure in foreign affairs, often described as “gunboat diplomacy”.
US-Oman Relations Under Spotlight
The United States and Oman have maintained close relations for more than 200 years. Both countries cooperate on security, trade and scientific development.
They also share agreements covering military partnerships and economic cooperation.
As tensions rise in the Middle East, analysts believe Trump’s remarks could strain Washington’s relationship with one of its most reliable Gulf allies.
