Trump threatens to 'blow up' Oman over Strait of Hormuz talks

President Donald Trump warned Wednesday that the United States would destroy Oman if the Gulf state interferes with negotiations over the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical energy corridor that has been closed for nearly 90 days. Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump insisted the strait must remain open to all countries and said he would accept no arrangement allowing Iran or Oman to control or jointly manage the waterway. "Oman will behave just like everybody else or we'll have to blow them up," Trump told reporters. The remarks come as Washington and Tehran remain locked in negotiations aimed at reopening the strait and reducing military tensions following months of conflict that began in late February and has pushed up global energy prices. The White House also dismissed as "a complete fabrication" reports from Iranian state television claiming a draft memorandum of understanding would see the US lift its naval blockade, restore commercial shipping through Hormuz, and withdraw American forces from the Gulf. However, Trump acknowledged discussions were continuing and expressed frustration with Iran's negotiating position. "They're negotiating on fumes," Trump said, while insisting any final deal must be comprehensive. "It's got to be perfect. I didn't do this to get a crummy agreement." The president linked a potential peace agreement with Iran to broader regional diplomacy, saying he was "requesting strongly" that more countries, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar, sign the Abraham Accords that normalize ties with Israel, though he stopped short of making it an official condition for an Iran deal. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who recently returned from a five-day trip to India and Sweden, offered a more measured assessment, saying there had been "some progress" in talks with Tehran. Rubio indicated the coming days would determine whether any breakthrough was possible, while emphasizing Washington prefers a diplomatic solution but retains "other options" if negotiations fail. Trump also rejected proposals for Russia or China to take custody of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile as part of any settlement, calling such an arrangement uncomfortable. The president dismissed suggestions that Iran could use upcoming US midterm elections to gain leverage, saying he was not under political pressure. Iran has maintained that management of the Strait of Hormuz is a regional matter to be coordinated with Oman and Gulf states rather than a US concern, a position that remains a major sticking point in the negotiations.