The president’s blunt warning comes as the USS Abraham Lincoln crisis deepens and tensions in the Persian Gulf hit a boiling point.
President Donald Trump has reportedly threatened to ‘bomb the shit out of’ Oman if it ‘gets in the way’ of the United States’ naval blockade of Iranian ships in the Strait of Hormuz, according to reports from Democracy Now and multiple diplomatic sources. The explosive remark, delivered during a closed-door meeting with senior defense officials, underscores the escalating volatility of the 2026 Iran war and the administration’s increasingly aggressive posture in the region.
“Get in the Way and See What Happens”
The threat against Oman — a longtime U.S. ally and neutral mediator in Middle East conflicts — stunned foreign policy experts and rattled Gulf diplomats. Oman has historically maintained cordial relations with both Washington and Tehran, serving as a backchannel for negotiations during previous crises. Trump’s warning marks a dramatic shift in tone toward a nation that has hosted American military bases for decades.
“This is not diplomacy — this is intimidation,” said Dr. Sarah Khalidi, a Middle East analyst at the Brookings Institution. “Oman has been one of the most reliable partners in the Gulf. To threaten them with military strikes is not just reckless; it undermines the entire security architecture of the region.”
The Blockade and the Backlash
The U.S. re-imposed its naval blockade of Iranian shipping in July after a brief pause, drawing condemnation from international maritime organizations and several NATO allies. The blockade has choked off Iran’s oil exports, crippling its economy but also disrupting global energy markets and driving up prices at American gas pumps.
Oman, which shares a maritime border with Iran at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, has expressed concern that the blockade could trigger accidental confrontations in its territorial waters. Omani officials have reportedly urged the U.S. to coordinate more closely to avoid incidents involving civilian vessels.
Trump’s response, according to sources familiar with the exchange, was blunt: “If they get in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.”
Diplomatic Fallout
The State Department has scrambled to walk back the president’s remarks, with spokespersons emphasizing that the U.S. values its partnership with Oman and that no military action is planned against the sultanate. But the damage may already be done.
Omani state media has remained silent on the threat, but regional analysts say the sultanate is likely re-evaluating its security relationships. Other Gulf nations, including Qatar and Kuwait, are watching closely, worried that they could be next if they voice any opposition to U.S. policy.
“When you threaten allies like this, you don’t just lose trust — you lose leverage,” said former Ambassador Robert Ford, who served in Syria and Algeria. “Oman could start looking east, toward China, for a more predictable partner. That’s a strategic loss we can’t afford.”
Congress Reacts
On Capitol Hill, lawmakers from both parties expressed alarm. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) called the threat ‘unhinged’ and demanded that the administration clarify its policy toward Oman. Even some Republicans privately voiced concern, with one senior GOP aide telling reporters that the president’s rhetoric was ‘making our job harder’ in maintaining international coalitions.
The White House has not issued a formal statement addressing the reported threat, and Trump himself has not publicly mentioned Oman since the remarks surfaced. But for a region already on edge, the silence is deafening.
