U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stunning military threat against the Sultanate of Oman on Wednesday, warning that the United States would “blow them up” if the Gulf nation attempts to restrict access or control the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.
Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump explicitly rejected any proposal that would grant Iran and Oman joint or temporary control over the shipping lane. “The strait is going to be open to everybody… It’s international waters. Nobody’s going to control it,” Trump asserted. Turning his focus to Oman, a long-time regional mediator, he added: “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that, and they’ll be fine.”
Stalled Negotiations
The provocative remarks came during the 12th Cabinet meeting of Trump’s second term, coinciding with critical, high-stakes negotiations aimed at ending a three-month conflict with Iran.
Despite claiming over the weekend that a peace deal was “imminent,” Trump signaled a sharp shift in tone, expressing deep dissatisfaction with the current terms. “We can make a good deal right now, but maybe not a great deal,” Trump told his cabinet, adding a stark ultimatum: “We are not satisfied with it. But we will be—either that, or we’ll have to simply finish the job.”
The U.S. President accused Tehran of deliberately stalling and trying to “out-wait” his administration. He claimed Iran is attempting to buy time until the U.S. congressional midterm elections in November in hopes of securing better leverage—a strategy he insisted would fail.
Economic Devastation and Mixed Signals
Trump emphasized that the Iranian regime is in no position to dictate terms, describing its economy as being in total collapse. “Their economy has 250% inflation, their currency is worthless, and their entire economic system is broken,” Trump noted, arguing that these severe pressures will ultimately force Tehran to make massive concessions.
The President’s shifting rhetoric follows a heavy backlash from domestic right-wing commentators and anti-Tehran hawks who criticized the emerging peace terms as overly favorable to Iran. On Tuesday, Trump vented his frustration on social media, pre-emptively attacking mainstream media outlets for how they might frame the potential accord.
He wrote that even if Iran completely surrenders to U.S. superpower might, “the failing New York Times, the China Street Journal (Wall Street Journal!), and corrupt, irrelevant CNN” would still headline the news as a “brilliant victory” for Iran.
Cabinet Dynamics: Praise for Tulsi Gabbard
Amid the geopolitical tension, the Cabinet meeting featured a notable moment of domestic political praise. Trump warmly commended Tulsi Gabbard, who announced her impending resignation as Director of National Intelligence (DNI).
Gabbard had previously drawn criticism from the administration’s hawks after testifying to Congress that she believed Iran was not actively pursuing nuclear weapons—months before U.S. forces struck Iranian uranium enrichment facilities.
However, Trump dismissed past friction, calling Gabbard a “wonderful person” and sparking a standing ovation from the Cabinet. “Tulsi worked tirelessly to restore trust and focus within the intelligence community, and they all respected and listened to her,” Trump concluded.
