Trump appears to threaten to bomb US ally Oman
United States President Donald Trump told reporters that ally Oman would “behave” or the US would have to “blow them up” when asked if he would accept a short-term deal that would allow the Gulf country to control the Straight of Hormuz with Iran, allowing it to reopen.
“It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that.”
The White House did not immediately respond when asked by the Agence France-Presse news agency if Trump had misspoken and had intended to refer to Iran rather than Oman. Trump has repeatedly used similar phrasing to refer to Iran.
Despite saying an agreement with Iran was close over the weekend, the US president said he wasn’t in a rush to reach one during a cabinet meeting this week.
“Iran is very much intent, they want very much to make a deal. So far, they haven’t gotten there. We’re not satisfied with it, but we will be,” he said.
“Either that or we’ll have to just finish the job.”
An Iranian state TV report said that the US had committed to a draft framework that would lift the US naval blockade on Iran and restore traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the withdrawal of US troops from the Gulf region.
The White House called the report “a complete fabrication”.
Earlier this week, the US military announced it had launched “self-defence strikes” targeting Iranian missile sites and mine-laying boats.
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