Trump Threatens Oman Over 20% Oil Chokepoint as US Denies Iran Strait MOU
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 27
Trump Threatens Oman Over 20% Oil Chokepoint as US Denies Iran Strait MOU
12 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · May 27
At a Wednesday cabinet meeting, Trump said the US would "blow up" Oman if it worked with Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz, a route carrying more than 20% of global oil traffic.
The threat followed Iranian state TV reports of a draft memorandum giving Iran and Oman joint management of the strait, a claim the Trump administration called "a complete fabrication."
Oman has not said it wants such a role and is a longtime US ally with more than 200 years of ties, including security cooperation and a free trade agreement.
The remark also undercut Oman's recent role as a Washington-Tehran mediator after the February 28 US-Israeli attack on Iran, which was followed by Tehran's closure of the strait.
Trump used the same meeting to press Arab states to normalize ties with Israel as part of any future US-Iran ceasefire, signaling a broader coercive approach to regional diplomacy.
Is threatening a neutral ally the new U.S. strategy for achieving peace in the Middle East?
How can Oman survive being caught between American threats and Iranian aggression in the strategic Strait of Hormuz?
What unseen economic damage is the Hormuz closure causing globally beyond just high gas prices?
The 2026 Hormuz Standoff: Trump’s Ultimatum, Regional Diplomacy, and the Global Economic Fallout
Overview
As of May 27, 2026, the Strait of Hormuz has been nearly closed for 90 days, causing a major global energy crisis. President Trump ordered a U.S. military blockade of Iranian ports after failed talks with Iran, warning that any Iranian ships approaching the blockade would be eliminated. The U.S. aims to pressure Iran to reopen the strait, but Iran rejected a temporary ceasefire and demanded a permanent end to the conflict. This standoff has led to severe economic and diplomatic tensions, with no immediate resolution in sight and significant risks for global energy security.