Donald Trump threatened to ‘bomb the s***’ out of Oman if it continues negotiations with Iran without American approval as the ceasefire with Tehran nears its expiration.
Oman, a major US defense ally in the Middle East, is negotiating with Iran over a plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz by placing the narrow waterway, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes, under joint control.
Trump has previously stated that Iran will not be allowed to control the waterway by charging US-backed oil tankers levies or taxes.
The President issued a dire warning if Oman moves forward with its negotiations on Monday morning during a Fox News interview. He said: ‘If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s*** out of them.’
The Strait of Hormuz has been shut since Iran closed it after US and Israeli airstrikes in late February. It remains a key sticking point in peace talks.
Oman has a history of serving as a friendly mediator between the White House and the Iranian regime.
The country helped broker the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal and has acted as a US defense partner in the Middle East since 1980.
Trump’s threats against his own ally come as the 60-day US-Iran ceasefire is set to expire today, raising fears of renewed fighting that could further destabilize the region and disrupt global oil supplies.