According to TASS, U.S. President Trump warned on the 27th during a White House cabinet meeting that the Strait of Hormuz must remain open for all, and that the U.S. would be responsible for monitoring it. He specifically named Oman, saying: "If they attempt to control the strait, we will have no choice but to blow them up."
Previously, Ali Baqeri-Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, revealed that Iran and Oman are holding joint negotiations over a new shipping regime in the strait.
Oman’s effort to jointly lead with Iran has touched America’s red line—centered on global energy lifelines and the ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear talks.
Trump’s remarks were extremely tough, conveying several key messages:
First, outright rejecting the Iran-Oman proposal: if Oman collaborates with Iran to "jointly control" the strait or establish a "toll system," Washington absolutely cannot accept it. Trump emphasized that the strait is international waters and cannot be under the jurisdiction of any single nation.
As a long-standing ally often seen as a "good guy" by the U.S., Oman’s move was perceived by Trump as a "betrayal." He issued a warning that he would "blow them up" — employing maximum pressure to force Oman to abandon its talks with Iran. He explicitly stated that Iran would not participate in the management framework, and sarcastically dismissed Iran as negotiating "on an empty shell" (with weak standing), thereby securing a dominant position in the negotiation process.
Legally and geographically, the narrowest part of the Strait of Hormuz lies within the territorial seas of both Iran and Oman, making close coordination between the two countries essential for long-term security agreements.
Oman’s "clever calculation" serves two purposes: on one hand, cooperating with Iran to shape its image as a regional mediator; on the other, seeking long-term revenue from transit fees through the strait.
This is more than a simple arrangement—it’s a geopolitical game of interest redistribution. The current situation remains unclear. Trump’s use of "maximum pressure" appears to be a strategic diversion, aiming to push Iran back to the negotiating table at a critical moment. The ultimate outcome of this confrontation may become clearer in the coming days through further statements from Iran and Oman.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866378013562892/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author.