Middle East Crisis Live: Iran Calls Trump’s Threats to ‘Blow Up’ Oman Dangerous and Bullying in US-Israel Iran War Tensions

Iran’s foreign ministry has condemned Donald Trump’s threat to attack Oman, calling the remarks “dangerous” and “bullying.” Spokesperson Esmail Baghaei said threats to destroy a United Nations member state that has long played a constructive role in regional peace and diplomacy were a violation of international law and a sign of growing lawlessness in global relations. The criticism came after Trump said he would “blow up” Oman if it agreed with Iran to help manage shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

The dispute over the strategic waterway has deepened tensions between Washington and Tehran at a time when fragile ceasefire and diplomatic efforts remain under strain. Trump rejected reports that Iran and Oman might jointly oversee shipping in the strait as part of a deal to reduce conflict. He said the waterway must remain open to everyone and insisted Oman would have to “behave” like other countries or face consequences. Iranian officials responded that such rhetoric would not force Tehran to retreat from its demands, including the right to enrich uranium, control over the strait and the lifting of sanctions.

The exchange unfolded as military activity in the region escalated sharply. US forces said they shot down four Iranian attack drones near the Hormuz strait and struck a ground-control station in Bandar Abbas that was preparing to launch another drone. Iranian state media later reported that the Revolutionary Guards had targeted an American base in Kuwait, which it said had been the source of the attack. Kuwait’s military said its air defenses were intercepting missile and drone threats. The incidents underscored how quickly the confrontation could widen despite talk of negotiations.

At the same time, Israel expanded military operations in southern Lebanon against Hezbollah. The Israeli army declared a new area a combat zone and warned residents to move north, saying it would act with “great force.” Lebanese officials reported multiple deaths in strikes across the south, including civilians and a soldier. Among the hardest-hit places were Tyre and Sidon, where Israeli forces said they were targeting Hezbollah infrastructure. Heavy bombardment and ground activity have pushed the conflict beyond the boundaries of Israel’s previously declared buffer zone.

In Gaza, Hamas confirmed that Israeli strikes killed Mohammed Odeh, the latest leader of its military wing, along with members of his family. Additional attacks in Gaza City killed more civilians, including children, according to local hospital officials. The wider picture remains one of overlapping wars and precarious diplomacy, with the United States, Iran, Israel, Lebanon and Gaza all locked into a rapidly shifting and highly volatile regional crisis.