Trump threatens Oman as it cooperates with Iran on Strait of Hormuz deal, and other Middle East news

WASHINGTON, 18 AUGUST 2026 —

Trump Warns Oman Over Strait of Hormuz Deal as Iran-Oman Talks Near Completion

Meanwhile, the 60-day negotiating window for a U.S.-Iran peace deal expired on Monday with no indication of an extension, leaving tensions unresolved.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters in Tehran that an understanding had been reached on a transit route map for the strait, which separates Iran and Oman. While he did not disclose further details, previous reports suggest the proposed arrangement would allow ships to pass through a corridor near Iran’s territorial waters before exiting via an Omani-controlled route. Under the interim plan, vessels would transit without paying fees or tolls. The U.S.

has long demanded the full reopening of the strait as a precondition for lifting its blockade on Iranian ports, imposed after Israel and the U.S. launched attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

Trump escalated his rhetoric against Oman during an interview with Fox News, warning that Washington would “bomb” the Gulf state if it interfered with U.S. objectives in the strait. “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up,” he told reporters in May. The White House has not provided audio of the latest remarks.

Trump also dismissed the expiration of the 60-day negotiation period as irrelevant, stating that there was no fixed timeline for a deal. He claimed the U.S. maintains backchannel communications with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), though no further details were provided.

The Strait of Hormuz has remained a flashpoint since the outbreak of hostilities. Before the war, the waterway handled about 20% of global oil supplies, making its closure a major economic concern. Oil tankers and container vessels were observed stranded in the strait on Monday, underscoring the ongoing disruption to maritime traffic. The U.S.

has accused Iran of impeding free passage, while Tehran argues that its actions are a response to the blockade and military strikes by Israel and the U.S.

Regional tensions extended beyond the strait on Monday. Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for attacks on a commercial ship and four military boats in the Red Sea near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, alleging they belonged to Saudi Arabia. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said ballistic missiles were fired, resulting in the capsizing and burning of the vessels. Saudi Arabia has not commented, and the claims could not be independently verified.

The rebels also launched a drone strike on government forces in Marib province.

In Iraq, two officials in the northern Kurdish region were targeted in drone attacks launched from the Iranian border. The strikes hit the office of Masrour Barzani, prime minister of the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Regional Government, and the home of a senior intelligence official. No casualties were reported, and no group immediately claimed responsibility. Barzani condemned the attacks as a “dangerous escalation” threatening regional stability.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi distanced Tehran from the incident, stating on social media that “nothing justified” the attack and urging Kurdish leaders to guard against “false-flag ploys” aimed at sowing discord.

The U.S. military presence in Iraq is also in flux, with American forces beginning a phased withdrawal ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline agreed upon with Baghdad. The move follows repeated attacks by Iranian-backed militias on U.S. bases and diplomatic facilities in Iraq since the start of the war. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated calls for Iran and the U.S. to resume peace negotiations, emphasizing that “there is no military solution” to the conflict.

Guterres also urged both sides to reduce inflammatory rhetoric.

The stalled Gaza ceasefire talks added another layer of complexity to the regional crisis. Hamas has agreed to a 15-point U.S.-backed roadmap that includes disarmament, but Israel, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the proposal last week. Hamas accused Israel of obstructing progress, while Netanyahu insisted that full disarmament must precede any Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Israeli forces currently occupy about 60% of the strip, and Netanyahu has threatened further advances.

Earlier this month, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a Middle East negotiator, met separately with Netanyahu and Hamas chief Khalil al-Hayya in Egypt to discuss disarmament terms.

As diplomatic efforts falter and military posturing intensifies, the risk of further escalation remains high. The Strait of Hormuz deal, if finalized, could ease some pressure on global energy markets, but the broader conflict shows no signs of de-escalation. Regional stakeholders, including Malaysia and other Asian nations dependent on Middle Eastern oil, will be closely monitoring developments, particularly as the strait’s closure continues to disrupt supply chains.

The expiration of the U.S.-Iran negotiation window underscores the fragility of the current stalemate, leaving the door open for either a breakthrough or a dangerous miscalculation in the coming weeks.

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