US President Donald Trump issued a severe warning to Oman, threatening to "blow up" the nation if it failed to "behave" during a recent cabinet meeting. This extraordinary threat comes as the United States intensifies its efforts to reopen the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global chokepoint for oil shipments. The incident follows reports of discussions between Iran and Oman regarding a joint initiative to impose a toll on ships traversing the waterway.

The Strait of Hormuz has been largely closed since the commencement of the US-Israel war on Iran, leading to significant international tensions. Trump unequivocally declared on Tuesday that "The strait is going to be open to everybody. Nobody's going to control it. We're going to watch over it. We'll watch over it. But nobody's going to control it. That's part of the negotiation that we have." He stressed that the strait constitutes international waters, challenging any attempts by individual nations to exert exclusive control.

Since late February, Iran has maintained a blockade of the strait, which is responsible for transporting approximately one-fifth of the world's oil supplies. This blockade has precipitated a global energy crisis and fueled widespread fears for the stability of the world economy. Recent reports, citing a regional official via the Associated Press, indicate that Tehran has been attempting to persuade Oman, a US ally, to support a mechanism for collecting tolls from vessels navigating through the strait.

In a direct response to these developments, Trump reiterated his stance: "They would like to control it." He then delivered the stark warning to Oman, stating, "Oman will behave just like everybody else. Or else we'll have to blow them up. They understand that. They'll be fine."

Beyond the immediate crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump's broader attempts to broker a peace deal with Iran have not yielded success. During Wednesday's meeting, he accused Iran of deliberately stalling negotiations, suggesting they were trying to "outwait me" until the US midterm elections in November. The prospect of a peace deal has also drawn strong reactions from within the US political landscape.

When Trump hinted at being on the verge of a deal over the weekend, Republican hawks who had previously staunchly supported his controversial decision to initiate war on Iran alongside Israel issued a rare public rebuke. Roger Wicker, who chairs the Senate armed services committee, condemned a rumored "60-day ceasefire" on social media, labeling it a "disaster." Wicker added that such a ceasefire would render "Everything accomplished by Operation Epic Fury...for naught," highlighting deep divisions within the Republican party regarding US foreign policy and engagement with Iran.