US President Donald Trump has threatened military action against Oman if the Gulf state interferes with US efforts to reach an agreement with Iran, escalating tensions surrounding the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
In remarks to Fox News on August 17, Trump said Oman would face military action if it “gets in the way” of negotiations involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz. His comments came as Oman and Iran continued discussions over arrangements for shipping through the critical waterway.
Trump also said Washington has a backchannel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and claimed US officials are communicating directly with IRGC officials. At the same time, he demanded that Iran raise a “white flag of surrender,” signaling that Washington’s position toward Tehran remains highly confrontational.
The Strait of Hormuz is central to the crisis because of its importance to global energy and maritime trade. Any prolonged disruption could affect oil prices, shipping costs and energy security well beyond the Gulf. Reuters reported that oil prices rose sharply on Monday amid growing concerns about the stalled negotiations and reduced shipping activity through the strait.
Trump also addressed the war in Gaza, saying Israel should not be striking Gaza and claiming Hamas had agreed to lay down its weapons. He said Washington maintains a separate communication channel with Hamas. Hamas subsequently welcomed Trump’s call for Israel to halt attacks and urged Washington to push for implementation of the next phase of the Gaza peace plan.
The latest statements add another layer of uncertainty to an already volatile Middle East situation. With negotiations between Washington and Tehran stalled, separate Iran-Oman discussions over the Strait of Hormuz continuing, and tensions surrounding Gaza still unresolved, the possibility of further regional escalation remains a major international concern.
