U.S. president escalates threats against Gulf ally as Iran works with Oman on Strait of Hormuz shipping plan, amid growing domestic opposition to U.S. war.
Published
U.S. President Donald Trump has again threatened to bomb Oman if the Gulf Arab country "gets in the way" with Iran, intensifying pressure on a key regional ally as tensions over the Strait of Hormuz escalate. The threat comes as Iran says it is working with Oman on a plan to manage shipping through the strategic waterway, which the U.S. has demanded be fully reopened.
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global chokepoint for oil shipments, and its fully reopening has been a key U.S. demand in ongoing negotiations. Iran's cooperation with Oman on a shipping management plan represents a potential diplomatic avenue, but Trump's latest threat underscores his administration’s willingness to use military pressure to achieve its objectives.
The threat arrives amid mounting domestic concern about the U.S. war on Iran. A new poll found a majority of U.S. citizens are concerned about the conflict, reflecting growing public skepticism about military engagement in the region. Trump's approval rating has sunk to a new low, with the poll suggesting the war is contributing to declining public support.
Oman has historically served as a mediator between Iran and Western powers, and its efforts to facilitate the shipping plan could offer a path toward de-escalation. However, Trump's explicit threat to bomb the country if it does not align with U.S. demands risks undermining Oman's diplomatic role and further destabilizing the region.