Fox News anchor John Roberts reacted with surprise after President Donald Trump made a provocative remark during a White House Cabinet meeting, saying Oman should “behave” or the United States would “blow them up.” Roberts highlighted the unusual nature of the comment on air, noting that Trump appeared to direct a military threat at a country that has long had peaceful ties with the United States. He said he was trying to understand what prompted the statement before handing coverage to Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy.
The exchange came during a question-and-answer session in which Trump was asked about a possible short-term arrangement involving Iran, Oman, and the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said the strait had to remain open to everyone and described it as international waters that no country would be allowed to control. He said the United States would monitor the area and repeated that “nobody’s gonna control it,” presenting the issue as part of ongoing negotiations.
Trump then escalated the exchange by adding that Oman would need to act like everyone else or face military action. The remark immediately drew attention because Oman is not an adversary of the United States and has generally been viewed as a stable and cooperative partner in the region. The country has also played a significant diplomatic role in Middle East affairs, often serving as a communication channel between Washington and Tehran.
The comments were made against the backdrop of discussions between Iran and Oman over vessel fees and transit issues in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway for global oil shipping. Earlier reporting indicated that the talks centered on service fees and coordination for passage through the strait, while Iranian officials said tanker traffic should be supervised and coordinated by the two countries. Officials from both governments, along with technical experts, had reportedly met to discuss safe navigation in the area.
The Trump administration rejected suggestions that Iran and Oman were planning a joint-control arrangement for the strait, calling such reports a complete fabrication. Still, the president’s remark quickly spread online and triggered concern among regional observers and critics, who questioned why Trump would threaten a country widely regarded as a U.S. partner.
Oman’s role in regional diplomacy helps explain why the statement stood out. The sultanate has often been involved in backchannel discussions aimed at reducing tensions in the Middle East and has maintained working relations with both Washington and Tehran. It has also faced pressure and threats from Iran at various times, making its position strategically sensitive.
Criticism also came from advocacy groups. Raed Jarrar, advocacy director at the U.S.-based rights organization DAWN, condemned the remark and compared the language to that of a “mafia boss.” He argued that international law prohibits threats of force against states and that the United States is bound by the same rules as other nations.
The exchange added another flashpoint to Trump’s remarks on foreign policy and the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route whose security remains central to regional and international energy concerns.
