Washington, May 28, 2026 – United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday warned Oman that it must “behave” or face destruction, after being asked whether he would accept a short-term arrangement allowing Iran and Oman to jointly control the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. Speaking to reporters during a cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump stated emphatically that the strait would remain open to all nations and would not be controlled by any single country.
“No, the strait is going to be open to everybody,” Trump said. “It's international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up. They understand that, they'll be fine.” The President did not clarify whether he had misspoken when referring to Oman instead of Iran, a point raised by the White House press pool. The White House did not respond to queries about the apparent mix-up.
Trump’s latest remarks follow escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil supply normally passes. Iran has indicated plans to impose a new reality in the strait by exacting tolls on transiting ships and sharing revenues with Oman. The U.S. and Israel launched attacks on Iran on February 28, further straining regional stability as negotiations to end the ongoing Middle East war and reopen the strait have stalled.
Earlier on May 24, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi met with Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi in Muscat to discuss freedom of navigation and maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz. The Omani delegation also received a verbal message from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, which reaffirmed both countries’ commitment to restoring safe and sustainable navigation through the waterway in accordance with international law.
Iranian state media had previously reported an alleged unofficial draft agreement between Iran and the United States, claiming it would restore commercial shipping to pre-conflict levels within a month, with Iran and Oman overseeing maritime traffic. Under the proposed framework, the United States would reportedly lift its blockade on Iranian ports and withdraw military forces from areas near Iran. However, the U.S. State Department dismissed the report as “a complete fabrication.”
Trump’s comments also come amid broader confusion over his statements. Earlier this year, he incorrectly stated that Venezuela “no longer has a navy, no longer has an air force,” a phrasing he has previously used to describe Iran. The U.S.-backed removal of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in January was cited as the reason for the alleged lack of military assets.
Oman, a long-standing U.S. ally, has played a mediating role in the Middle East conflict and has itself faced attacks from Iran. Despite these challenges, Muscat has continued diplomatic engagement with Tehran to address maritime concerns. Trump’s latest threats signal a hardening U.S. stance as diplomatic efforts to de-escalate the crisis appear to have faltered just days after he suggested a deal was near.
