US President Donald Trump has sparked fury by threatening to 'blow up' Oman, a key ally, during a cabinet meeting. The threat came amid tensions over control of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipments.
Trump warned that Oman must 'behave' or face destruction, after reports that Iran and Oman were discussing joint tolls for ships passing through the strait. The waterway has been largely blocked since the US-Israel war on Iran began.
'The strait is going to be open to everybody,' Trump declared. 'Nobody's going to control it. We're going to watch over it.' He added: 'Oman will behave just like everybody else. Or else we'll have to blow them up. They understand that. They'll be fine.'
The White House did not clarify whether Trump misspoke, and Oman's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Oman, a Gulf nation of 5.3 million, has long been a US ally and mediator in the region.
The Strait of Hormuz typically carries about a fifth of the world's oil supplies but has been blockaded by Iran since February, causing a global energy crisis. Trump's recent efforts to strike a peace deal with Iran have so far failed.
