Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman Over Strait of Hormuz Talks as $4 Billion U.S. Trade Relationship Frays
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 13
Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman Over Strait of Hormuz Talks as $4 Billion U.S. Trade Relationship Frays
2 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Sep 13
Summary
Aug. 17 remarks by Donald Trump threatening to “bomb” Oman if it “gets in the way” of reopening the Strait of Hormuz stunned officials and citizens in a country that had been mediating U.S.-Iran contacts.
Omanis and outside analysts said the outburst appears tied to Trump’s view that Muscat is too close to Iran, compounded by disputed reports that Oman might support transit fees in the strait—an idea Oman denied.
Monday talks in Muscat involving Gulf foreign ministers, including Iran, could put Oman back at the center of efforts to restore free passage through the waterway, which remains disrupted more than six months into the war.
The threat has triggered soul-searching in Oman over whether its quiet, neutral diplomacy leaves too much room for others—including Iran and Trump—to define its role.
That strain lands on a long U.S.-Oman relationship that includes about $4 billion in annual trade, even as war has hurt tourism and pushed Oman to benefit from higher energy sales and logistics traffic.