US President Donald Trump has escalated his confrontation with Iran, warning Oman against interfering with Washington’s efforts to secure an agreement with Tehran over the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump issued the warning on Monday during an interview with Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, as Oman continues to hold discussions with Iranian officials over the future of navigation through the strategic waterway.
“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump said, according to Yingst.
The threat adds a new dimension to the diplomatic efforts surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, which has become a major flashpoint amid the conflict between Iran and the US-Israel alliance.
Iran and Oman have been negotiating maritime arrangements for the waterway, with Tehran saying on Monday that the two countries were working towards a joint declaration.
The strait, which separates Iran from Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy routes and carries substantial volumes of oil and other commodities.
Trump has repeatedly challenged Iran’s control over the waterway, while Tehran has insisted that the strait will remain under Iranian control.
The US president also demanded that Iran surrender, saying the country should “put up the white flag of surrender”.
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Trump said he was not under pressure to reach an agreement with Tehran. He also revealed that his administration maintained a back-channel with officials of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
The confrontation comes as Washington faces growing domestic debate over the war ahead of the November midterm elections, while any prolonged disruption of the Strait of Hormuz could have major consequences for global energy supplies and prices.
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