Trump threatens to bomb Oman, saying it hinders progress in US-Iran nuclear deal

(Central News Agency, Washington, 17th, comprehensive foreign news reports) In the past few weeks, the White House has repeatedly assured that Iran will soon sign a nuclear agreement, and named Oman to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, making this small Gulf country unexpectedly become the key to US-Iran mediation. However, the delay in finalizing the agreement has angered US President Trump, who today threatened to launch a bombing campaign against Oman if it hinders the progress of the agreement.

Trump did not specify what exactly Aman did to offend him. The Wall Street Journal reported that behind the dispute between Washington and Oman are the obstruction of nuclear agreement negotiations, navigation arrangements in the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump’s dissatisfaction with allies for not actively assisting.

U.S. officials said Oman’s movements are quite vague. On the one hand, the U.S. pointed out that any progress in the negotiations would be helpful in alleviating pressure on the global energy market and rising oil prices in the United States; on the other hand, the Trump administration has always been worried that Oman may assist Iran and mediate a nuclear agreement that is more beneficial to the Tehran authorities. Such concerns increasingly annoy Trump.

However, Oman is not the only country with which Trump has recently had issues. Trump believes that many allies have not actively assisted in ending the conflict between the United States and Israel against Iran: Yesterday, Trump just ordered the reduction of joint military exercises between the United States and South Korea because the Seoul authorities refused to help open the Strait of Hormuz. Earlier, Trump also complained about the inability of European allies such as the United Kingdom and Spain to resist Iran, and criticized the allies for "taking advantage of the United States" for a long time.

In addition to external dissatisfaction, there are also differences of opinion within the Trump administration on how to respond to Oman.

U.S. officials revealed that several senior aides privately accused Oman of favoring Iran instead of helping Washington negotiate the best deal with Tehran. However, other opinions believe that the long-term close relations between Oman and Iran are beneficial to mediation. These officials contend that Trump is simply trying to find a scapegoat by blaming Oman for the unfavorable situation.

In addition, U.S. officials pointed out that there are also concerns that the agreement between Iran and Amanda may consolidate Tehran's control over Hormoz. Trump prefers an agreement that can fully open up nearly one-fifth of the world's oil and energy pathways.

Oman’s embassy in the United States did not respond to a request for comment.

At this time, the 60-day deadline set by Trump in June this year expires today. The deadline requires Iran to give up its nuclear program and end the war, but neither side has backed down and the war remains in a stalemate. The United States has recently relied mainly on Qatar and Pakistan to help mediate an armistice, while gradually marginalizing Oman, the original mediator.

This friction did not start today. Relations between the United States and Oman have deteriorated significantly in recent months.

Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi, who assisted in communication between the United States and Iran before the war, has publicly criticized the United States' decision to launch the war many times, and even appeared on American political commentary programs to try to prevent the first wave of attacks.

He posted on social media in March this year: "No matter what you think of Iran, this war was not started by them."

The Trump administration has also threatened to sanction Oman and even launch air strikes in the past due to intelligence assessments that Oman intends to cooperate with Iran to impose tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz in order to promote the reopening of the waterway. Oman has repeatedly denied this.