President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb United States ally Oman if the Gulf nation interferes with American negotiations with Iran, marking the second time in three months the president has issued such a warning against a country that has never engaged in direct conflict with America.

Presidential Threats Against American Ally

During a Monday interview with Fox News, Trump declared his administration had established direct communication with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. When discussing potential peace negotiations, the president stated bluntly about Oman: “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s*** out of them.” The threat came as a 60-day peace agreement between Washington and Tehran expired with little prospect for renewal, while Iranian officials announced progress toward a separate agreement with Oman.

Iranian military officials immediately denied Trump’s claims of direct talks. A Revolutionary Guard spokesman told Iranian news agency Tasnim the president’s statements were “merely fantasies caused by the delusions and nightmares he has suffered as a result of defeat and desperation in the war.” Oman has positioned itself as a neutral mediator throughout the five-month conflict between America and Iran, despite suffering Iranian strikes targeting American military assets within its territory.

Previous Warning in May Cabinet Meeting

Trump first threatened Oman on May 27 during a cabinet meeting when asked about potential joint Iranian-Omani oversight of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The president responded: “Nobody is going to control it. It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up.” The State Department later confirmed the statement on social media, dispelling speculation that Trump had misspoken and meant to say Iran instead of Oman.

Strait of Hormuz Dispute at Center of Conflict

Oman and Iran have engaged in direct negotiations, facilitated by mediators in Qatar, over managing maritime traffic through the strategically critical Strait of Hormuz. A June 17 agreement with the United States that promised 60 days of open shipping collapsed quickly when disagreements erupted over which routes vessels should follow through the waterway. Iran launched strikes against ships following American-approved Omani routes rather than Iranian-designated paths, prompting nearly two weeks of renewed American military action.

What This Means

Tehran has refused further direct talks with Washington, claiming the United States violated terms requiring cessation of all hostilities, and issued new demands including sanctions relief and permanent end to American strikes. On Monday, Iranian officials announced an agreement with Oman on new shipping routes through the strait, with a joint declaration in preparation. The escalating rhetoric against Oman represents an unusual diplomatic approach toward a nation that hosts American military facilities and has maintained friendly relations with the United States for decades.