STRAIT OF HORMUZ: TRUMP THREATENS TO BOMB OMAN IF IT ‘GETS IN THE WAY’ OF US-IRAN DEAL

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By ‘Sefiu Ajape

President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a US deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, while also calling on Tehran to surrender.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump told Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, referring to ongoing discussions between Oman and Iran over control of the strait, while Washington is also pursuing its own negotiations.

Iranian and Omani officials have been holding talks for weeks on future maritime navigation arrangements along the strategic shipping route. Iran’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday that the two sides were working on a joint declaration.

However, Trump has repeatedly maintained that the Strait of Hormuz—which Tehran effectively closed at the start of the Middle East war on February 28 — is under US control, despite traffic through the waterway remaining severely restricted.

On Friday, Trump said he could even declare the Strait of Hormuz part of US territory, while Iran responded that the crucial energy waterway it had blockaded “will remain Iranian.”

Before the US-Israeli war against Iran began, the Strait of Hormuz was regarded as an open international waterway. The strategic passage carries a significant share of global energy shipments, as well as other commodities.

Tehran has used its effective control of the strait as leverage in response to US-led efforts to destroy its military capabilities and force it to abandon its controversial nuclear programme.

Iran borders the northern side of the Strait of Hormuz, while Oman lies along its southern side.

Trump also said Iran should “put up the white flag of surrender,” according to Yingst’s post on X about his interview with the president.

The US president said he was in no rush to reach an agreement despite growing opposition to the war among Americans ahead of the November midterm elections, in which opposition Democrats are seeking to regain control of Congress from Trump’s Republicans.

Trump also told Yingst that his administration maintains a direct back channel with officials of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” he was quoted as saying.