Trump Threatens Oman Over the Strait of Hormuz

During a White House Cabinet meeting on 28 May 2026, President Donald Trump warned that Oman must “behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ’em up” if the Gulf state pursued joint control of the Strait of Hormuz with Iran. He stressed the waterway is “international waters” and that the United States would “watch over it” but not let any nation dominate it.

South China Morning Post

Analysts count fifteen countries—about one-in-thirteen sovereign states—that Trump has threatened, left open, or struck across his two terms. Seven were struck this term (Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen) and eight were verbally threatened (Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, Panama, Oman, North Korea). Together they cover roughly one-eleventh of the global population, include five Middle-Eastern states (Iran, Iraq, Oman, Syria, Yemen), and span Africa, Asia, the Americas and a European territory (Greenland).

US President Trump threatens 1 out of 13 countries: Report

The State Department posted a video and transcript of Trump’s “Oman will behave … or we’ll have to blow them up” remark without amendment. When reporters asked whether the president misspoke, the White House offered no immediate clarification. The State Department’s release therefore serves as the sole official record of the comment.

South China Morning Post

Commentators call the pattern “remarkably bellicose” and note Trump’s use of the “madman theory” to project unpredictability. The off-the-cuff Oman warning has raised concern that such statements could increase diplomatic tension without a formal policy. Sources differ on the count of threatened nations—some cite fifteen of nearly two hundred, others describe it as one-in-thirteen. A few reports question whether Trump meant Oman or Iran, citing the White House’s lack of correction.

South China Morning Post

• “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.” — Donald Trump, Cabinet meeting

The Straits Times

• “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow ‘em up,” — Donald Trump, Cabinet meeting

CNN

• “No, the strait is going to be open to everybody,” — Donald Trump, Cabinet meeting

South China Morning Post

• “I'm not sure we should make the deal if they don't sign.” — Donald Trump, Truth Social post

The Independent

The uncorrected State Department posting suggests further clarification may follow. Observers expect the United States to reiterate its position on the Strait of Hormuz in upcoming diplomatic engagements, while the pattern of verbal threats remains a focus of international scrutiny.

The Independent