WASHINGTON DC: US President Donald Trump has reportedly threatened to bomb Oman if the US ally interferes with Washington’s negotiations with Iran, according to Fox News.
The United States and Oman have been conducting separate negotiations with Tehran over the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route that has remained largely closed for nearly six months amid the US-Iran conflict.
According to Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, Trump made the threat during a phone interview and used an expletive while referring to Oman.
The reported remarks came as Iranian officials said they were close to reaching an agreement with Oman. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains over the future of negotiations between Washington and Tehran as a 60-day memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two sides approaches expiration.
Asked by BBC News reporters at the Oval Office on Monday whether he was seeking an extension of the MoU, Trump replied, “No.”
The Strait of Hormuz has been a major focus of negotiations since the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran in February. Around one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas typically passes through the strategic waterway.
Oman, which borders the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz, has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict. However, it has faced several attacks from Iran while simultaneously taking a key role in diplomatic efforts to persuade Tehran to reopen the waterway.
The US has also been pursuing separate efforts to restore shipping through the Strait. Citing Trump, Yingst reported that the president warned Oman against obstructing Washington’s efforts.
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