In brief
In a heated exchange with Fox News, President Donald Trump said he would bomb the United Arab Emirates if Oman interfered with U.S. negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. and Oman have separately been working to reopen the strait, which has been largely closed since February. While Iran claims a deal with Oman will open the route, the U.S. adviser claims no imminent agreement and refuses to extend a 60‑day Memorandum of Understanding with Iran. Trump also asserted he holds a direct backchannel with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, a claim denied by an IRGC spokesperson. His remarks come amid a broader U.S. strategy to pressure Iran into a ceasefire and to prevent its nuclear ambitions, despite ongoing military tensions and diplomatic uncertainty.
In a phone interview with Fox News, President Donald Trump warned that the U.S. would bomb the United Arab Emirates if it "gets in the way" of his administration’s talks with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz. The remarks were made amid separate U.S. and Oman negotiations with Tehran.
For nearly six months the Strait of Hormuz has been blocked after a U.S.‑Iran war began in February, preventing about 20% of global oil and natural‑gas traffic from passing through the narrow waterway. Oman, on the southern edge of the strait, has been a neutral player, but has had several Iranian strikes and now plays a key role in brokering a potential reopening.
While Iranian officials announced a deal with Oman that could enable ships to transit, Trump's words on the phone interview were extremely blunt: “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.” The President also said the U.S. has a direct backchannel with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps, a claim the IRGC denied as a false narrative.
The looming expiration of a 60‑day Memorandum of Understanding between the U.S. and Iran adds tension to the situation. Trump said he would not seek an extension and that U.S. policy remains centered on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The U.S. and Iran have resumed strikes, putting the ceasefire and strait reopening in jeopardy. Trump’s threat signals a willingness to use force if diplomatic negotiations with Oman falter, a move that could destabilize regional dynamics.
Picture: A photo of President Trump wearing a red MAGA cap, standing before Marine Force One helicopter, a symbol of his aggressive stance.
