Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman If It Interferes in Iran Talks

Washington: US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it obstructs negotiations with Iran, warning that Muscat would face serious consequences if it interferes with US efforts.

Speaking by telephone to Fox News, Trump adopted a tough stance when asked about Oman’s role, saying that the United States would target Oman if it got in the way. His remarks came as Oman is engaged in talks with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restore maritime traffic.

Iranian officials have said that Tehran and Muscat are close to reaching an agreement on routes for ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, with details of the proposed deal being finalized. The Strait is one of the world’s most important energy corridors and plays a major role in the global transportation of oil and gas.

The 60-day negotiating period between the United States and Iran has ended, but the two countries have yet to reach a final agreement. Washington has made reopening the Strait of Hormuz one of its key priorities, while Tehran has put forward its own conditions on the issue.

Oman has long played a mediating role between the United States and Iran. Amid the current crisis, Muscat is again working with Tehran to restore the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

In the Fox News interview, Trump also claimed that the United States has direct back-channel contacts with some officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. However, a spokesman for the Revolutionary Guard denied the US president’s claim, saying no such contact exists.