Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman, Esmaeil Baghaei, expressed solidarity with Oman on Thursday after President Donald Trump made remarks that appeared to threaten the country. Baghaei's comments followed Trump's statements during a Cabinet meeting, where he discussed the Strait of Hormuz and mentioned that Oman would need to behave like other nations or face consequences. The exact intent behind Trump's comments remains unclear, as the State Department shared a clip of his remarks, emphasizing the message.
Oman and the U.S. have a long-standing relationship, formalized by treaties dating back to 1833 and 1958. The U.S. and Iran are currently negotiating an end to ongoing conflicts, but significant divisions remain. Trump has indicated that the negotiations are in various stages of progress. Additionally, he announced Project Freedom, aimed at guiding ships through the Strait of Hormuz to prevent Iranian attacks, though Gulf nations have expressed concerns about potential retaliation from Iran.
In a separate context, Trump has urged Gulf countries to join the Abraham Accords, which aim to normalize relations with Israel, indicating that he believes participation from these nations is essential for a successful resolution to the Iran conflict.