Trump appears to threaten to ‘blow up’ Oman, after question on Iran and Hormuz

Asked if he would accept a deal to allow Iran and US ally Oman to control the strait, Trump said the Gulf state must ‘behave’

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday appeared to threaten to attack ally Oman if it sides with Iran over reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump said Oman must “behave” or he would “blow them up”, when he was asked if he would accept a short-term deal to allow Iran and the Gulf state to control the waterway.

“No, the strait is going to be open to everybody,” Trump told reporters during a cabinet meeting at the White House.

“It’s international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that, they’ll be fine.”

The White House did not immediately respond when asked if Trump had misspoken and had intended to refer to Iran rather than Oman.

Oman is a key US ally which has tried to mediate the Middle East war and has itself come under attack from Tehran.

The US State Department later posted a clip and transcript of Trump’s comments about Oman, without any correction or clarification.