US President Donald Trump threatened to “destroy” the Sultanate of Oman if it tried to control the Strait of Hormuz, stressing that the strategic waterway “must remain open to everyone without any party controlling it.”
During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said: “The Straits will be open to everyone, and no one will control them. We will supervise them,” adding: “Oman will act like any other country, otherwise we will have to destroy them.”
Trump’s statements come at a time when Deputy Secretary of the Iranian Supreme National Security Council, Ali Bagheri Kani, revealed that Tehran and Muscat are conducting joint negotiations to determine a new system for crossing ships through the Strait of Hormuz.
According to observers, the Sultanate of Oman seeks to play the role of mediator in formulating new maritime arrangements for the Strait, benefiting from its balanced relations with Iran, the United States, and the Gulf states, while emphasizing that the security of the Strait of Hormuz must be managed by the countries of the region.
The escalation comes in light of the continuing tensions related to Iran, after the previous military escalation led to the disruption of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the rise in oil prices to more than $111 per barrel, amid fears of additional disturbances in global energy markets.
The United States and Israel began the war on Iran on February 28, before declaring a truce between Washington and Tehran on April 8, while diplomatic efforts continue, mediated by Pakistan, to end the conflict.
