Trump Threatens Military Action Against Oman Over Iran Hormuz Deal

Origins of the Standoff

The crisis began in late February when US-Israeli strikes on Iran prompted Tehran to close the Strait of Hormuz. Washington responded by imposing a naval blockade of Iranian ports, severing traffic through the strategic waterway and sending global oil prices soaring.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi, in a post on X on Saturday, urged Trump to "accept the reality" that the US had suffered "strategic and heavy defeats." He wrote that "the Strait of Hormuz has been Iranian, is Iranian, and will remain Iranian," adding that the waterway "will only be closed and opened under Iran's command."

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei told reporters on Monday that Iran had reached an "understanding" with Oman on establishing safe passage arrangements.

Official Statements and Military Posture

A senior Iranian official told Reuters that Iran is prepared "to escalate tensions in the Strait of Hormuz and wider region" if diplomacy fails, and to launch "timely and precise strikes" to break the US naval blockade if necessary. Trump did not directly respond to that threat in his Fox News comments but demanded that Iran "raise the white flag of surrender."

Iran reportedly wants to charge fees for safe passage through the strait after an interim period, a demand the US has categorically rejected. The expiration of the June memorandum without a renewed agreement leaves both sides without a formal diplomatic framework for de-escalation.

What Happens Next

With the June memorandum now expired and no replacement agreement in place, the immediate path forward remains uncertain. Iran has signaled readiness for military escalation if diplomacy fails, while Washington has threatened to treat any Omani-Iranian deal as a hostile act.

No new negotiations have been officially announced, and both sides continue to issue threats rather than engage in direct talks.