Trump’s threats anger Omanis, leave observers puzzled | CNN

Oman, a historic partner for the United States and proven mediator to Iran, was once again threatened by President Donald Trump over its negotiations with the Islamic Republic, leaving many in the region confused. Trump’s warning on Monday reiterated a threat he issued in May to “blow up” Oman over its ongoing negotiations with Iran, again concerning the Strait of Hormuz, despite Trump himself agreeing in a signed document that Muscat would “conduct dialogue” with Tehran to define the future administration and maritime services in the strait. Washington’s former ambassador to Oman, Marc J. Sievers was left “puzzled” on what caused the threats to the Gulf Arab country. “Perhaps Trump didn’t mean to be taken literally but more the matter of getting the Omani attention, which I’m sure he did,” Sievers told CNN. “It’s hard to think of Admiral Cooper planning bombing raids on Oman,” a reference to US Central Command Chief Adm. Brad Cooper. Muscat has branded itself as a neutral operator during the war, maintaining relations with Iran even as the latter fired large salvos of missiles and drones at neighboring Arab countries, and sometimes on Oman Throughout