Trump Threatens to Bomb Oman Over Strait of Hormuz
Your Daily Update for August 18, 2026. Plus: As Oman and Iran finalize a deal to secure passage through the strait, Trump has threatened to bomb Oman.
Welcome to today’s daily update for Tuesday, August 18, 2026. Here’s everything you need to know.
The Breakdown
US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if they “get in the way” of ongoing negotiations with Iran.
Iran and Oman have both confirmed that they are currently very close to finalizing an agreement to secure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been almost entirely shut down as the US and Iran continue to engage in conflict.
The exact details of the deal have not yet been confirmed, but officials have suggested that the route will likely see inbound ships travel along the Iranian coastline, while ships exiting the Persian Gulf would sail along the Omani coast.
The agreement would therefore secure safe passage for ships traveling through the strait, many of which have been struck by Iranian missiles, drones, or mines over the last few months.
However, the strait will not fully open until the United States removes their naval blockade on Iranian ports, which Trump has refused to lift. Trump has maintained that the US is making progress through negotiations with Iran, but the Middle Eastern nation has denied taking part in any sort of talks.
Now, Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if they “get in the way” of negotiations – an Omani deal with Iran could reduce the economic pressure imposed by the American naval blockade, therefore allowing Iran to hold out for longer.
Nevertheless, Trump also threatened Oman in May, warning that the US would “blow them up” if they failed to follow the actions that others have taken against Iran.
Oman and the United States remain longtime strategic partners, but Oman has never truly allied itself with a Western power. The two countries operate under a Free Trade Agreement, boosting economic gain, and Oman continues to allow US military operations on their soil.
However, politically, Oman remains largely neutral and has been focused on putting an end to the conflict in the Middle East. The conflict has trapped hundreds of cargo ships and oil tankers at the Omani capital of Muscat, with thousands of crewmembers trapped onboard.
Experts fear that Trump’s latest comments could further degrade US-Oman relations while making America look bad on the global stage, but the administration has supported his comments.
Now, citizens around the world will remain waiting and watching to see if tensions between the US and Iran flare up once again. A 60-day memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed in June expired yesterday – the agreement cleared the way for negotiations to take place, but very little actually transpired.
Trump has asserted that the expiration of the MOU will not hinder ongoing operations, but they do not have a current timeline on a new agreement.
The Global Snapshot
Trump has announced that the US will scale back joint military exercises with South Korea after the nation refused to assist with the denuclearization of Iran. Trump claimed that the exercises send an “inappropriate and hostile” signal to North Korea and stated that the move was “based on my very good relationship” with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. He also emphasized that the drills are completely paid for by the United States – a claim that has not been verified – but several experts have pointed out that South Korea still pays the US to station American troops in their country.
The Trump administration has also confirmed that they will pause the Department of Homeland Security’s controversial project to build invisible barriers and lighted roadways through Texas’ Big Bend National Park in order to conduct an on-the-ground evaluation and speak to local communities. The move has been heavily criticized by members of both political parties, arguing that the project will cause irreversible damage to the region’s largely untouched environment, alongside the fact that less than 100 migrants cross through the region each year.
The death toll in this week’s Indonesia earthquake has risen to 68, and hundreds of people remain injured. Thousands on the island of Flores, located in the East Nusa Tenggara region, are waiting for aid to arrive – many local communities have no food, water, or shelter after the 7.7 magnitude quake destroyed entire towns. The Indonesian military is currently working to bring aid via helicopter, but the process of transportation and distribution is long and arduous.
Fact of the Day (The Fact Site): Bob Ross’ hair was naturally straight, but he chose to get a perm so he could save money on haircuts when touring the US in his mobile home. Bob actually grew to hate his curly hair, but he kept it because it had become iconic.
Quote of the Day (Gracious Quotes): Caring – about people, about things, about life – is an act of maturity. (Tracy McMillan)
Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster): Lackadaisical (adj, lak-uh-DAY-zih-kul) - Something or someone described as lackadaisical is lacking in interest, enthusiasm, or zest.
In a Sentence: Feeling particularly lackadaisical in the summer heat, they lazily tossed a ball back and forth.
Image: Pixabay / Public Domain
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