Trump issues fresh warning to Oman amid Iran war negotiations
President Donald Trump has repeated a threat to bomb Oman if it obstructs his attempts to conclude the US-Israel war against Iran. In a Fox News interview, he said the US would use force against the Gulf state if it interfered. The remarks came as a 60-day diplomatic window with Iran expired without a final agreement.
Trump's latest warning to Muscat follows a similar threat issued in May, targeting a nation that has historically served as a vital intermediary between Washington and Tehran. The 60-day diplomatic pause, established by a June 17 memorandum signed at Versailles, expired Monday without a comprehensive deal covering sanctions relief and Iran's nuclear program.
Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthis claimed attacks on Saudi military vessels near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical global shipping chokepoint. In Israel, Jared Kushner held a four-hour meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu after the prime minister rejected a US-backed Gaza peace plan requiring troop withdrawal before Hamas fully disarms.
The expiration of the diplomatic window and threats against a non-combatant ally could erode regional stability, potentially disrupting vital shipping routes like the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This may trigger energy price volatility and supply chain delays, affecting consumers and industries worldwide. Additionally, the stalled negotiations could prolong military engagements, increasing civilian displacement and straining international diplomatic norms, while the US's stated lack of urgency may embolden adversaries to test its resolve.