US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if the Gulf nation interferes with Washington’s efforts to reach an agreement with Iran over the strategic Strait of Hormuz.
Trump made the comments during an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst on Monday, amid ongoing discussions involving the United States, Iran and Oman over navigation through the crucial waterway.
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump said.
Iran and Oman have reportedly been discussing arrangements for maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, with Tehran saying the two countries were working towards a joint declaration.
The Strait, which connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, is a major route for global energy shipments. Its disruption has already affected international oil and gas trade.
Trump has repeatedly insisted that the waterway should be under US control, while Iran maintains that the strategically important strait will remain under its sovereignty.
The President also reportedly said he could declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory after the conflict, despite the waterway traditionally being treated as an international maritime route.
Trump Calls on Iran to Surrender
Trump also called on Iran to surrender, saying the country should “put up the white flag of surrender.”
The remarks came as a 60-day memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran expired without a final agreement. The deal had been intended to halt hostilities and pave the way for negotiations, including discussions over Iran’s nuclear programme and the reopening of the Strait.
Trump said he was in no hurry to reach a deal and maintained that preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons remained a priority.
He also claimed that his administration had a direct back-channel with officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
The latest threats have heightened tensions involving the United States, Iran and Oman, with Oman playing a role in discussions aimed at securing maritime passage through the Strait of Hormuz.
Source: AFP.
