8 days · 7 summary articles
President Donald Trump threatened on Monday to bomb Oman if it interferes with U.S. negotiations with Iran over the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with Fox News. “If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the s--- out of them,” Trump said, as a June U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding expired .
The threat came as Oman and Iran continue talks on a maritime transit agreement for the strategic waterway, which carries about a quarter of the world’s seaborne oil trade. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Monday that discussions were ongoing, with an “understanding” reached on a navigation route map, but stressed that any deal would not reopen the strait without additional conditions . Iran has maintained control over the strait since late February, following U.S.-Israeli strikes that triggered the wider Middle East conflict.
Trump also demanded Iran “raise the white flag of surrender” and reiterated that the U.S. has “total control” over the Strait of Hormuz, a claim Tehran has repeatedly rejected. He confirmed the existence of a direct backchannel with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, calling them “good poker players” but “on the brink of defeat” .
Separately, Trump ordered the Pentagon to scale back joint military drills with South Korea, citing cost concerns and his “very good relationship” with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. The 11-day Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises, involving about 18,000 South Korean troops, began Monday as scheduled despite the directive. South Korea’s military confirmed the drills would proceed, while its presidential office expressed hope for continued U.S.-North Korea dialogue .
Trump’s decision to reduce the drills follows his 2018 suspension of major exercises after his summit with Kim. He has also linked the move to South Korea’s refusal to support U.S. military actions against Iran .
In other developments, Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a U.S. negotiator, met Sunday with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Egypt as part of stalled Gaza ceasefire efforts. Kushner was set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday amid pressure over Israel’s rejection of a U.S.-backed 15-point roadmap .
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