Trump threatened to 'blow up' Oman -- why the tiny Gulf kingdom is caught between DC and Iran

Trump’s threat to Oman underscores a rare rupture with a long-standing U.S. partner over control of the Strait of Hormuz. The president asserted the strait would remain open to all and warned that Oman must behave, or risk consequences. The dispute centers on reports that Iran and Oman discussed tolling or joint management of the strategic waterway that handles a fifth of global oil supply. Oman has long served as a discreet intermediary between Washington and Tehran, while maintaining security ties with the United States. Muscat’s neutral stance has allowed it to broker talks and even a Red Sea truce, earning praise as a flexible backchannel. Experts say Oman’s role as 'the Switzerland of the Middle East' reflects its ability to engage adversaries indirectly, a function the U.S. historically valued. Washington has used Oman to carry delicate messages and to facilitate talks on Yemen, nuclear diplomacy, and regional tensions. The White House and Oman's embassy did not respond to requests for comment about the Hormuz-related negotiations. Oman’s delicate balancing act has made it a pivotal, though often understated, conduit in U.S.-Iran diplomacy.