Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman Over Hormuz Deal, Claims Strait as U.S. Territory

3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 18

Two regional officials said Trump threatened Oman on Monday over a pending Iran-Oman arrangement to jointly manage ship traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including Omani collection of voluntary vessel fees.
Trump escalated again Tuesday by posting a map depicting the strait as U.S. territory, while the White House declined further comment beyond his Oval Office remarks backing that idea.
Iran rejected the claim as a "delusion" and said the waterway would not reopen until Washington lifts sanctions, releases frozen assets and ends military threats and operations.
Security risks persisted around the chokepoint: a projectile struck a ship off Oman, damaging its engine room and causing a casualty, while Yemen's Houthis said they targeted a Saudi Aramco refinery with drones.
The dispute cuts across a broader diplomatic push, with Egypt saying the Iran-Oman deal could help revive U.S.-Iran talks even as Trump publicly says no talks are planned.