Trump threatens to bomb Oman: Why is the US president targeting the Sultanate?

US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it "gets in the way" of the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a key US demand. According to two regional officials, Trump's frustration stems from ongoing negotiations between Oman and Iran aimed at establishing a joint mechanism for managing shipping through the waterway.

The 60-day negotiating period for a peace deal between Washington and Tehran has expired without an extension, leaving both sides as far apart as they were at the start. Tehran has increasingly utilized the Strait of Hormuz as a leverage point in talks, asserting control over the waterway.

Reports suggest the emerging deal between Iran and Oman may include mechanisms for navigation and potential fees. Regional officials indicate the plan could involve ships entering the Persian Gulf via an Iranian-controlled route and exiting through an Omani-controlled one, though such an arrangement would likely depend on the US lifting its blockade of Iranian ports.

Oman, which has historically maintained a low-profile mediation role, now finds itself caught between two stubborn powers. While the Sultanate has not officially responded to Trump's threats, the US president's rhetoric reflects the growing pressure his administration faces as midterm elections approach and global markets remain sensitive to disruptions in the strait.