Trump Warns Oman Over Its Iran Negotiations

US President Donald Trump has reportedly warned Oman that Washington could launch military action against the country if it interferes with the United States’ efforts to negotiate with Iran, according to Fox News.

The warning comes as both Washington and Oman pursue separate diplomatic efforts with Tehran aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most strategically important waterways. The strait has remained largely blocked for almost six months amid the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran.

According to Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, Trump made the warning during a phone interview, using strong language to describe what could happen if Oman obstructed US efforts.

“If Oman gets in the way, we'll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump was quoted as saying.

The reported comments came shortly after Iranian officials announced progress in negotiations with Oman over the movement of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said the two sides had reached an understanding concerning the route ships would use to transit the waterway. He said officials were working to complete the remaining details before releasing a joint statement.

Oman, which lies along the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz, has maintained that it is neutral in the conflict. Despite that position, the country has itself come under attack from Iran and has become an important intermediary in efforts to reopen the strategically vital waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz is particularly significant to the global economy because roughly one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes through it. Its prolonged closure has therefore created major concerns for international energy markets.

The United States has also been working independently to restore shipping through the strait. Earlier this month, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that a complete reopening would depend partly on Iran receiving compensation from the United States for what Tehran considers violations of an earlier agreement.

Reuters previously reported, citing an Iranian official, that Tehran was seeking payments equivalent to between 5% and 7% of the value of cargo transported through the strait.

During the same interview with Fox News, Trump claimed that Washington maintained a direct backchannel with Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a powerful military and political organisation.

The IRGC rejected the claim. A spokesman quoted by Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency said there were no negotiations between IRGC officials and the United States, describing Trump's statement as false.

Trump also indicated that he was not rushing to end the conflict with Iran. He reportedly described Iranian leaders as capable negotiators but claimed they were suffering significant losses.

The latest tensions come as a previous Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran approaches its expiry. The agreement, signed on 18 June, was intended to establish a ceasefire and facilitate at least a partial reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. However, the arrangement later collapsed as military strikes resumed.

On 8 July, Trump declared that the ceasefire had ended and strongly criticised Iran's leadership following renewed exchanges of fire.

As the agreement approached its formal expiration, Trump reiterated that his administration's primary objective remained preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

The developments have placed Oman in an increasingly delicate position as it attempts to mediate between Washington and Tehran while facing pressure from both sides.