In brief
In a call with Fox News, former President Donald Trump warned Oman that any obstruction to US–Iran talks could lead to a bombing campaign. Trump also claimed a direct backchannel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, a claim denied by IRGC officials. Oman, which has been neutral and mediating in the Strait of Hormuz negotiations, has faced Iranian strikes and now seeks to reopen the vital waterway. The dispute comes as a 60‑day US‑Iran memorandum of understanding expires and US policy keeps a focus on preventing nuclear proliferation.
Former President Donald Trump issued a threat to Oman not to intervene in the US‑Iran rift, saying the country could be the target of a bombing campaign if it "gets in the way" of ongoing talks.
During a Monday phone conversation with a Fox News reporter, Trump asserted that the United States has a "direct backchannel" with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). The IRGC formally denied any such contact, calling the claim a fabrication.
Oman—situated between Iran and the Gulf and traditionally neutral—has become a key player in attempts to secure the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas flows. Iran has stated that the strait’s traffic will resume only once the United States reimburses compensation stipulated in a recently expired memorandum of understanding.
The 60‑day memorandum, signed on 18 June, aimed to establish a cease‑fire and long‑term peace, but collapsed after renewed hostilities on both sides. While the MoU near its expiry has left the political landscape fluid, Trump’s latest remarks underscore a willingness to pursue forceful measures if diplomatic channels falter.
In the same interview, Trump characterized IRGC officials as "good poker players, but dying," and defended the United States’ inventory of weapons, claiming that the stockpiles have been largely untouched despite the current conflict.
Oman’s ambassador has described the ongoing negotiations as positive, though the nation has endured multiple attacks from Iranian drones since tensions flared.
The situation escalates concerns about the stability of a critical maritime corridor and the potential for a wider regional escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.
