US president warns ally not to obstruct Strait of Hormuz negotiations
US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if the US ally “gets in the way” of Washington’s negotiations with Iran, according to Fox News.
The warning comes as Oman plays a key role in separate talks with Tehran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Strait remains largely closed
The strategic waterway has been largely closed for nearly six months during the US-Iran conflict. About a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through the strait.
Iran said earlier that it had reached an understanding with Oman on a transit route for ships, with both sides expected to finalise the details.
Oman caught between US and Iran
Oman has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict but has become an important mediator between Washington and Tehran.
Trump has pursued separate US efforts to reopen the waterway, while Iran has sought compensation and other conditions before fully restoring shipping access.
Iran denies Trump’s backchannel claim
Trump also claimed during the Fox interview that Washington has a direct backchannel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
An IRGC spokesman rejected the claim, saying no talks are taking place between the group and US officials.
US-Iran talks remain uncertain
The latest tensions come as a 60-day US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding approaches its expiry.
Trump said he was in no hurry to end the conflict, while maintaining that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remains his administration’s main objective.
