US president warns Muscat against obstructing Washington’s Iran strategy while saying he has no timetable for reaching settlement

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has again threatened military action against Oman if Muscat obstructs Washington’s efforts to conclude the nearly six-month conflict with Iran.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump told Fox News on Monday, repeating a threat against a longstanding US strategic partner that has traditionally provided an important diplomatic channel between Washington and Tehran.

The remarks came as a 60-day diplomatic window established under a June 17 memorandum of understanding expired without a comprehensive agreement.

However, Trump said he was not imposing another deadline on Tehran despite repeatedly predicting that the conflict would end soon.

Trump Tells Iran to Surrender

Meanwhile, Trump urged Iran to “put up the white flag of surrender” but said Washington had no timetable for securing an agreement.

“I have no time schedule. I’m not in a hurry,” Trump said.

The president also dismissed concerns about pressure on US ammunition inventories after months of military operations, describing the weapons already expended against Iran as “peanuts.”

Furthermore, Trump reiterated that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon remained his administration’s primary objective.

Hormuz Dispute Keeps Oman at Centre of Diplomacy

The Strait of Hormuz remains central to the confrontation. Iran lies north of the strategic waterway, while Oman controls territory along its southern approaches.

Tehran and Muscat have consequently discussed arrangements concerning navigation through the strait, which has faced severe disruption since the war began in February.

Despite Trump’s warning, Iran’s Foreign Ministry said talks with Oman were “continuing in earnest.”

Trump also claimed Washington had established direct communications with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

However, the IRGC rejected that assertion, denying talks with US officials and accusing Trump of attempting to influence global oil and energy prices through claims of diplomatic contacts.