Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman Over Iran Negotiations

President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman if the neutral nation obstructs U.S.-led negotiations with Iran, according to regional reporting and statements cited by Fox News. The remarks emerged as Jared Kushner met with Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the ongoing Middle East crisis, coinciding with the expiration of a 60-day Memorandum of Understanding between Washington and Tehran.

According to Fox News reporter Trey Yingst, Trump issued the threat during a phone call on Monday, stating: “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them.” Oman, which says it is a neutral country in the conflict, has faced multiple strikes from Iran since hostilities began, yet it has actively participated in mediating shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz.

Strait of Hormuz Shipping and the Expiring MoU

The 60-day Memorandum of Understanding between the United States and Iran expired on Monday, marking a crucial deadline for the temporary agreement signed to foster further diplomatic engagement. Since U.S. and Israeli strikes hit Iran in February, Tehran has largely blockaded the vital waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas passes, according to BBC reporting.

Iranian officials indicated on Monday that they were close to finalizing an agreement with Oman regarding the reopening of shipping lanes through the strait. Concurrently, according to Fox News coverage, Trump claimed that Washington maintained a direct backchannel with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The IRGC promptly denied any direct communication with the U.S. An IRGC spokesperson told the semi-official Tasnim News Agency that no talks are taking place between IRGC officials and Americans, characterizing Trump’s claims as fantasies resulting from defeat and desperation.

Financial Waivers and Frozen Assets in the Iran Deal

While diplomatic friction intensifies, economic provisions of the broader U.S.-Iran negotiations remain a central point of contention. According to Council on Foreign Relations documents published on June 17, the interim framework stipulates that until formal sanctions are terminated, the U.S. Treasury will issue waivers allowing the export of Iranian crude oil, petroleum products, and related banking, transportation, and insurance services.

Regarding frozen assets, the memorandum of understanding specifies that the United States will make funds fully available upon the implementation of the MOU, though specific release procedures require further negotiation. Historical positions show that Tehran has previously demanded immediate access to roughly $24 billion frozen by the U.S. and its allies. In contrast, Washington officials have consistently maintained that these assets should stay frozen until Tehran satisfies specific compliance standards and a final, verifiably implemented agreement is achieved.