President Donald Trump warned Oman – a long‑time U.S. ally mediating talks with Tehran – that it must “behave or we’ll have to blow them up,” before declaring Iran’s military “destroyed” and promising Secretary Pete Hegseth would “finish them off” if Tehran refuses U.S. demands... The remarks came during a Tuesday Cabinet meeting focused on the future of the oil‑rich Strait of Hormuz.

Trump’s Direct Threat to Oman During Hormuz Talk

During the meeting, Trump told the Omani government, “Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up,” a statement that left officials unsure whether it was a rhetorical flourish or a genuine warning to a partner that has helped broker the 2015 nuclear deal and hosts a U.S. defense pact since 1980. according to the source, the president’s tone shifted from a generic pledge to keep the strait open to an explicit threat aimed at the mediator.

Claims About Iran’s Military Contradict Intelligence Assessments

Trump asserted that Iran’s navy and air force are “gone” and that the country is negotiating “on fumes.” The source notes that intelligence reports contradict this, indicating Iran has rebuilt much of its pre‑war arsenal, including ballistic missiles and fast‑attack boats that continue to menace shipping.. This disparity raises doubts about the administration’s public portrayal of Iranian capabilities.

U.S. Demands and Iran’s Counter‑Requests in the Hormuz Standoff

The White House is pressing Tehran to permanently abandon its nuclear weapons program and surrender highly enriched uranium, while Iran is demanding an immediate lift of the U.S. naval blockade that has crippled its oil exports to China and Southeast Asia. The source mentions that special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are involved, but Trump insisted Iran has “no remaining leverage.”

Potential Fallout From Threatening a Mediator

Targeting Oman could undermine the delicate diplomatic channel that has kept the Strait of Hormuz partially open since Iran closed it in late February following U.S. and Israeli strikes. If Oman withdraws its mediation, the United States may lose a critical back‑channel, potentially prolonging the conflict and increasing the risk of broader regional escalation.

Who Will Decide Iran’s Fate? The Unanswered Question of Military Action

The source highlights that Trump left the possibility of “finishing the job” ambiguous, hinting at a future military option without specifying who would authorize it or under what conditions. This lack of clarity fuels speculation about the administration’s next steps and whether any formal escalation plan exists.