Trump threatens Oman amid talks over control of the Strait of Hormuz

In the Gulf on 18 August 2026, Trump threatened to bomb Oman, according to officials quoted by the Associated Press. The threat was tied to Oman's planned deal with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz: Trump said he would bomb Oman if it got in the way of a deal with Iran, and said the US 'would handle Oman very easily'. CNN described Oman as a US ally, and Der Spiegel wrote that he threatened it with destruction.

Trump also called on Iran to surrender, and said Iran would not make the deal he thinks is needed. CGTN reported that a ship was hit in the Strait of Hormuz the same day. The Wall Street Journal and CNN noted that this was not the first time he had made such a threat.