Trump Warns Oman Over Strait of Hormuz, Rejects Joint Control Proposal Amid Iran Talks

Washington, May 2026 : US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a sharp warning to Oman and ruled out any arrangement that would place control of the strategic Strait of Hormuz in the hands of regional powers, including Iran, as negotiations with Tehran continue under fragile diplomatic conditions.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the White House (local time), Trump insisted that the vital shipping lane must remain open and internationally governed, rejecting any suggestion of shared or limited regional control.

“No, the strait’s going to be open to everybody,” Trump said. “It’s international waters. Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it, but nobody’s going to control it.”

He emphasised that US oversight would continue as part of broader negotiations with Iran, particularly given the geopolitical sensitivity of the Gulf region and its importance to global energy flows.

“That’s part of the negotiation that we have,” he added.

Trump also issued a direct warning to Oman, which has been playing a mediating role in regional diplomacy, saying: “Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow ’em up.” The remark underscored the administration’s hardline stance on maintaining control over strategic maritime routes.

The comments come amid reports from Iranian state media suggesting that Tehran had obtained an unofficial draft of a proposed US-Iran agreement. According to those reports, the framework would restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz to pre-conflict levels within a month and establish joint Iran-Oman management of maritime traffic.

The alleged draft further claimed that the United States would lift restrictions on Iranian ports and withdraw military forces from the region. However, US officials have firmly rejected the report, describing it as “a complete fabrication” and denying the existence of any such agreement.

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most critical energy chokepoints, with a significant share of global oil exports passing through it daily. Any disruption in the region has immediate implications for international energy markets and global economic stability.

Diplomatic efforts involving Oman have continued alongside the public war of words. Omani officials have maintained active communication with both Washington and Tehran in an attempt to reduce tensions and safeguard maritime security.

On May 24, Oman’s Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi held talks with an Iranian delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi. The discussions focused on ensuring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz in accordance with international law, as well as addressing broader regional developments.

According to Oman’s Foreign Ministry, both sides explored mechanisms to strengthen maritime safety, ensure uninterrupted trade flows, and stabilise global supply chains at a time of heightened geopolitical uncertainty.

During the meeting, Al Busaidi also received a verbal message from Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi, reiterating Tehran’s stated commitment to maintaining safe and continuous navigation through the strait as negotiations with the United States continue.

Despite ongoing diplomatic engagements, the Trump administration has maintained a firm position that the Strait of Hormuz must remain under open international access, rejecting any attempt by regional powers to assert control over the strategic waterway.

The latest remarks highlight the continued volatility surrounding US-Iran negotiations, where maritime security, sanctions relief, and military presence in the Gulf remain key unresolved issues shaping the broader geopolitical landscape.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)