Two years ago, the Trump family business promoted a $500 million luxury hotel and golf resort project in Oman as a move to elevate the Gulf nation’s profile as a global destination. Less than 24 months later, former President Donald Trump publicly threatened to bomb the same country, marking a sharp deterioration in relations between Washington and a longstanding regional partner.
The threat emerged amid tensions over Iran’s attempts to impose fees on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas normally flows. Trump accused Oman of supporting Iran’s initiative, warning the country to “behave like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up.” Initially, some officials in Muscat believed the remark was mistaken and intended for Iran, but the U.S. State Department subsequently posted a video reiterating the threat against Oman.
Oman has long served as a trusted mediator between the United States and Iran, maintaining a policy of neutrality in the region. Since the outbreak of the conflict on February 28, the Omani government has openly criticized the war and has pursued diplomatic efforts to secure safe passage through the strait. Foreign Minister Badr Alsubaidi highlighted Oman’s commitment to peace and adherence to international maritime law, rejecting any concept of tolls or fees on the waterway. A source familiar with the discussions emphasized that Oman remains steadfast in ensuring freedom of navigation without levying charges.
The aggressive stance from Trump reflects his frustration with the lack of progress in compelling Iran to reopen the strait and alleviate the global energy crisis resulting from its closure. Analysts suggest the president has shifted his ire toward regional allies like Oman and Saudi Arabia, whom he views as either owing him strategic victories or obstructing his objectives.
Emile Hokayem of the International Institute for Strategic Studies described Trump’s approach as an attempt to extract concessions from Gulf states after failing to make headway with Iran directly. Meanwhile, a Gulf official commented that while Trump may be deflecting blame onto regional partners, Oman could have managed its relationship with his administration more effectively, especially given its public criticism of the conflict.
The U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent later issued a warning that sanctions could target Oman or any entities involved in facilitating tolls on the strait, although Oman’s ambassador to Washington assured that Muscat had no such plans. Oman has also resisted joining the Trump-brokered Abraham Accords, remaining the only Gulf Cooperation Council country not to normalize relations with Israel or endorse the administration’s Board of Peace initiative aimed at Gaza reconstruction.
Experts caution that Trump’s confrontational rhetoric risks deepening Gulf skepticism about U.S. policy consistency. Jon Alterman of the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that while Oman’s role has been valued by successive American administrations, the president’s unpredictable approach is likely to prompt Gulf states to diversify their strategic partnerships beyond Washington.
Kristin Diwan from the Arab Gulf States Institute observed that although the Gulf countries may be uneasy with Oman’s stance, none welcome the threat of bombing a fellow regional partner. Kuwaiti academic Bader al-Saif recalled similar instances of Trump’s abrasive diplomacy targeting other Gulf leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and, separately, Kuwait. Nevertheless, Gulf states have largely responded with measured silence, opting not to escalate tensions through reciprocal confrontational rhetoric.
The recent developments highlight the fragility of U.S.-Gulf relations amid shifting regional dynamics and underscore the challenges faced by traditional diplomatic actors like Oman in navigating a complex and volatile environment.