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Trump warns of military action against Oman over Iran negotiations

The former U.S. president has threatened to use force against the Gulf state if it obstructs American efforts regarding Iran, as a crucial diplomatic window narrows. Oman has been independently engaging Tehran on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

LSN World News · 18 August 2026

Trump warns of military action against Oman over Iran negotiations

Donald Trump has issued a threat of military action against Oman, a longtime U.S. ally in the Arabian Peninsula, should the sultanate interfere with American policy objectives toward Iran. The warning underscores rising tensions surrounding diplomatic efforts on the Iranian nuclear issue and regional maritime access.

Oman has maintained a tradition of independent diplomacy with Iran and has been conducting separate negotiations aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world's most critical shipping chokepoints. The sultanate's autonomous approach to regional engagement has occasionally placed it at odds with other Gulf Cooperation Council members aligned more closely with Washington.

The threat emerges as a 60-day window for peace negotiations approaches expiration, intensifying pressure on all parties involved in discussions related to Iran's nuclear program and regional stability. The timing suggests heightened U.S. determination to prevent third parties from undermining its negotiating position.

Oman's geopolitical importance stems from its strategic location on the Gulf of Oman and its history as a neutral intermediary in Middle Eastern disputes. The sultanate has hosted back-channel discussions between regional and international powers, a role that has occasionally attracted criticism from parties seeking more exclusive diplomatic leverage.