President Donald Trump on Monday (August 17, 2026) threatened to bomb Oman if it “gets in the way” of a U.S. deal with Iran on the Strait of Hormuz and called for Iran to surrender.
Iran’s coast flanks the north side of Hormuz, and Oman lies on the south. Mr. Yingst’s post on X on his interview with the President.
Iranian and Omani officials have been talking for weeks on future maritime navigation arrangements through the shipping route, and the Foreign Ministry in Tehran said earlier Monday (August 17, 2026) that the two sides were working on a joint declaration.
Trump also said that Iran should “put up the white flag of surrender,” according to Mr.
Mr. Trump insisted that he was in no hurry to reach a deal despite the war’s deep unpopularity among Americans ahead of the November midterm elections, with opposition Democrats seeking to take control of Congress from Trump’s Republicans. Mr. Yingst that there is a direct back-channel between his administration and officials of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.
Trump told Mr. “They’re good poker players, but they’re dying,” he was quoted as saying.
