Trump threatens Oman over Strait of Hormuz access

US President Donald Trump threatened Oman at the White House, saying the country would face military consequences if it does not cooperate over access to the Strait of Hormuz. The comments mark an escalation in US pressure tactics in the strategically critical waterway.

US President Donald Trump issued a stark threat against Oman on Wednesday, telling reporters at the White House that the Gulf nation would face destruction if it failed to fall in line with American demands regarding the Strait of Hormuz.

«Oman will behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up,» Trump said, delivering the blunt warning in his characteristically direct style. The statement signals an aggressive new pressure campaign aimed at ensuring unimpeded passage through one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints.

The Strait of Hormuz, located between Oman and Iran, is the passage through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil supply travels. Any disruption to shipping in the strait would have severe consequences for global energy markets and supply chains.

Oman has traditionally played a neutral diplomatic role in the Middle East, often serving as a back-channel between the United States and Iran. Trump's threat represents a dramatic departure from the usual treatment of Muscat as a quiet but valuable intermediary in the volatile region.

The comments come amid broader US efforts to pressure Iran over its nuclear programme and regional influence, with the Strait of Hormuz frequently cited as a potential flashpoint in any military confrontation between Washington and Tehran.