‘We’ll bomb the s*** out of them’: Trump threatens Oman as it reportedly moves toward a deal with Iran
Ben Werschkul· Washington Correspondent
Mon, August 17, 2026 at 9:26 PM GMT+5:30
3 min read
Iran and Oman, two nations bordering the Strait of Hormuz, are reportedly moving toward a deal to assert control over the waterway, which puts the US increasingly at odds not just with Iran but a longtime ally and mediator in the region as well
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s*** out of them,” President Trump told Fox News on Monday as he discussed the expiration of the 60-day memorandum of understanding between the US and Iran. The end of that deal could allow Iran to pursue tolls in the strait in the weeks and months ahead
Trump added a note of confidence that the ongoing US blockade of the waterway will increase the economic pressure on Iran and said he doesn’t feel the need to end the conflict soon
“They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” the president said of Iran, adding that back-channel talks are ongoing
Ismail Baghaei, a spokesperson for Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shot back Monday that the war has meant countries in the region “came to the conclusion that America is an unreliable and untrustworthy partner.”
The talks between Iran and Oman reportedly are focused on reopening the strait — where 20% of the world’s oil passed before the war — by allowing ships to enter the Persian Gulf near Iran’s coastline and exit near Oman without tolls or fees for the time being
A final joint statement is still being negotiated, Bloomberg reported on Monday, as other reports suggest that Iran and Oman are still negotiating details and that an agreement is not yet set
The possibility of a deal has put Oman increasingly center stage. It has hosted talks with both the US and Iran at different times, but has also appeared to creep closer to Iran’s notion of collecting tolls — much to the dismay of the US
An unusual joint statement from Iran and Oman in June emphasized “their sovereignty and sovereign rights over their territorial waters in the Strait of Hormuz” as well as the “costs associated with” administering the waterway — a clear signal of possible tolls, which are a red line for Trump
The US is maintaining its own blockade, while Trump has repeatedly threatened Oman for even engaging in talks with Iran
“Oman will behave just like everyone else, or we’ll have to blow them up,” Trump said in May
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has said that the US wouldn’t hesitate to “aggressively” impose sanctions on Oman if it gets involved and has promised to unveil “unprecedented” new economic sanctions on Iran this week
