Trump threatens to bomb US ally Oman if it 'gets in the way' over Iran deal

August 17, 2026

President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman, a United States ally, if it interferes with American efforts to negotiate with Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The strategic waterway has been mostly closed for six months during an ongoing US-Iran conflict, severely impacting global oil and gas shipments. While Oman has been conducting separate negotiations with Tehran and announced they were nearing an agreement to reopen the strait, Trump indicated the US has its own backchannel communications with Iranian military forces.

Who is affected

Oman (US ally and neutral country in the conflict)
Iran and specifically the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)
The United States
Global shipping industry dependent on the Strait of Hormuz
Countries relying on oil and liquefied natural gas transport through the waterway

What action is being taken

Oman is negotiating with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz
The United States is pursuing separate efforts to secure the reopening of the strait through a backchannel with Iran
Iran is blocking the Strait of Hormuz
Iran is seeking compensation fees from vessels traveling through the strait

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global economic chokepoint through which approximately one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas passes. Its six-month closure has significant implications for global energy markets and international trade. The situation demonstrates escalating tensions where the US president is threatening military action against an ally, which undermines traditional diplomatic relationships and creates additional geopolitical instability in an already volatile region.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC