Trump warns Oman, Russia urges restraint as Gulf tensions rise
US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if it interferes with efforts to end the conflict with Iran, while Russia has called on all parties to seek a swift and peaceful resolution. The remarks come amid heightened tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy corridor.
Trump's warning was delivered on August 17, according to the Associated Press, which reported that the president voiced dissatisfaction with Oman's stance and threatened to 'bomb the hell out of' the sultanate if it stood in the way of resolving the conflict. The threat, first reported by the Associated Press and cited by TASS, followed Omani moves toward a possible agreement with Iran regarding the strait. Another version of the threat, reported by The Guardian, quoted Trump saying he would "bomb the shit out of them" during a Fox News interview the same day.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting with technology leaders, Trump said he views the Strait of Hormuz as "American territory right now" and that Iran "would love to make a deal, but they're not ready to make the right deal in my opinion," as reported by Al Jazeera. The remarks come amid escalating tensions over the waterway, a critical chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world's seaborne oil normally passes.
Russia weighs in
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Georgy Borisenko said on Wednesday that Moscow views the US threats against Oman as an attempt to exert pressure. "We view such statements as an attempt to exert pressure on these countries," Borisenko told journalists, expressing hope for "a swift resolution of the situation and the restoration of peace and stability in the Persian Gulf region."
Borisenko stressed the region's global importance, noting that stability there matters "both for the region itself, for Iran, for our Arab friends living in the Persian Gulf area, and for the whole world, which largely depends on energy supplies from this region."
The Russian diplomat's comments came after the Associated Press reported, citing sources, that Trump voiced threats to Oman over its reported progress toward an agreement with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. According to AP, Trump faces growing pressure over Iran after promising to end the war, weaken Tehran, and secure a favorable nuclear deal. Iran reportedly uses its control over the strait as leverage in negotiations.
'Bomb the hell out of' threat
On August 17, Trump threatened to "bomb the hell out of" the sultanate if it impeded efforts to resolve the conflict, according to reports. Another account cited the president as saying he would "bomb the shit out of them" during a Fox News interview that day. The Gulf state of Oman shares a strategic position along the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint through which roughly a fifth of the world's seaborne oil typically passes.
Speaking in the White House on Wednesday, Trump said he views the strait as "American territory," adding that Iran "would love to make a deal, but they're not ready to make the right deal in my opinion."
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded that US threats of economic warfare are "doomed to fail."
The remarks come amid a US–Israeli military campaign against Iran that began in February. The Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global oil supplies, has been all but closed since the conflict began, according to reports.