Iran has expressed solidarity with Oman after US President Donald Trump threatened military action against the Gulf nation if it tried to help Tehran exert control over the Strait of Hormuz.
The remarks came amid escalating tensions following fresh US strikes near Bandar Abbas and renewed disputes over who should manage one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said Tehran stands in solidarity with Oman after what he described as threats by US officials against regional countries.
In a statement issued Thursday, Baqaei condemned the “threatening rhetoric of American officials against Iran and some other regional countries” and expressed solidarity with the “friendly and brotherly country of Oman.”
The statement followed comments made by Trump during a cabinet meeting on Wednesday.
Trump warns Oman over Strait of Hormuz
Trump said the Strait of Hormuz would remain open to everyone and insisted no country would control the strategic waterway.
“Nobody’s going to control [the strait],” Trump said. “It’s international waters and Oman will behave just like everybody else or we’ll have to blow them up. They understand that, they’ll be fine.”
Also Read: Trump threatens to 'blow up' Oman over Hormuz dispute
Trump also said the United States would “watch over” the strait. The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world’s most important energy corridors, handling a major share of global oil shipments.
Iran says Strait management does not involve US
Iran has previously said the management of the Strait of Hormuz has nothing to do with the United States. Tehran maintains that any coordination regarding the waterway would take place with Oman.
The latest dispute emerged amid reports suggesting Iran and Oman could play a role in overseeing maritime traffic through the strait.
Iran condemns new US strikes on Bandar Abbas
Baqaei also strongly condemned recent US strikes on Iran’s port city of Bandar Abbas. He described the attacks as “aggressive actions against the territorial integrity and national sovereignty of Iran.”
A US official had earlier said Washington’s actions were measured, defensive and intended to maintain the ceasefire.
Also Read: US strikes Iran's Bandar Abbas again as IRGC targets US airbase
According to the US official, the strikes targeted what American authorities believed was an Iranian military site posing a threat to US forces and commercial shipping traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
IRGC retaliates with attack on US base
Following the US action, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched what it described as a retaliatory attack targeting a US base in the region. Iranian authorities did not identify the location of the base.
The IRGC said the operation was carried out in response to the American strike near Bandar Abbas airport.
The latest escalation comes despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to maintain a fragile ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Also Read: Not satisfied with Iran's offer, no deal finalised yet: Trump
Hours before the US strikes, Trump had rejected reports of a possible arrangement involving Iran and Oman managing traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
The growing exchange of threats and military action has renewed concerns about stability in the Gulf and the future of shipping through the strategic waterway.
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