President Donald Trump’s threats to target Oman stemmed from direct coordination with the United Arab Emirates under bin Zayed, who sought to undermine Omani influence over the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state-linked media reports published on August 28, 2026. As the maritime conflict in the Persian Gulf enters its sixth month, the diplomatic rift between Abu Dhabi and Muscat highlights growing regional friction over mediation roles and maritime control.
UAE Influence and the Strait of Hormuz Dispute
According to the Iranian state-linked outlet Nournews, UAE President bin Zayed urged Washington during a phone call earlier in the week to push back against Muscat. Bin Zayed reportedly blamed Omani greed for complicating maritime negotiations with Tehran. The Emirati leader pressed his American counterpart to take a strong stance against Iran, as reported by Reuters. This friction exposes deep divisions among Gulf Arab nations over regional security. While the US and Israel launched military operations on February 28, 2026, with the stated goals of ending Iran’s nuclear program and sparking regime change, Gulf neighbors have grown increasingly worried about gaps in the American security umbrella, according to regional reporting.
US Naval Operations and Trump Territory Declarations
In response to Iran closing the strategic waterway where one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas shipments previously passed, the US military launched its own naval blockade of Iranian ships and ports. Speaking at a rally at a police academy in Garden City, New York, on August 28, 2026, President Trump told crowds that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States. “After we finish defeating Iran, which is being very badly defeated — pretty soon I’ll be declaring the Hormuz Strait a territory of the United States,” Trump said. Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi quickly dismissed the remarks, asserting that the country would not be intimidated and that the waterway would remain under Iranian control. Meanwhile, Admiral Brad Cooper, commander of US Central Command, stated that American forces had cleared sea mines laid by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and helped 1,500 commercial vessels carrying roughly 750 million barrels of crude oil safely transit the strait.
Economic Impact and Oil Market Reactions
The protracted conflict continues to rattle global energy markets. Brent crude futures dropped 25 cents, or 0.3 per cent, to $89.45 a barrel on August 28, 2026, while West Texas Intermediate crude fell 22 cents to $83.31. Both benchmarks headed toward weekly losses, with Brent down 5.3 per cent and WTI falling 4.3 per cent. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News that Trump continues to retain all options on the table, noting that “Operation Epic Fury” to destroy Iran’s military has been followed by “Operation Economic Outcast” to destroy its economy. In contrast, Iranian Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei warned on Al-Manar television that Tehran would target US economic interests with 100 percent intensity and force if the maritime blockade of Iranian ports continues. Rezaei claimed that Iran successfully broke the maritime blockade during a prior ceasefire and exported nearly 80 million barrels of oil.
Leadership Opacity and Regional Escalation
Six months into the war, Iran’s new leadership remains shrouded in mystery. Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed the role of supreme leader a week into the conflict following airstrikes that left him badly wounded, has remained entirely unseen and unheard by the public. While Iranian officials insist he rules from the shadows for security reasons while recovering from disfiguring wounds, the lack of any verified photo, video, or audio message has fueled domestic skepticism. “The question is no longer whether Mojtaba is alive, but whether Iran still has a functioning supreme leader,” Alex Vatanka of the Middle East Institute in Washington told reporters. Escalating the rhetoric further, SNSC secretary Mohsen Rezaei stated in a separate interview with Lebanon’s Al-Manar program that Iran would send Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “to hell” and condemned continued Israeli strikes in Lebanon and Damascus. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi added on X that restoring diplomacy hinged on Washington recognizing that pressure does not work, following creative discussions with Qatar’s prime minister and foreign minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
Did you know? Before the conflict began on February 28, 2026, approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments passed directly through the Strait of Hormuz.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the UAE reportedly push the US to target Oman?
According to Iranian state-linked outlet Nournews, UAE President bin Zayed blamed Omani greed for complicating maritime negotiations with Tehran and urged Washington to push back against Muscat during a phone call.
What did President Trump say about the Strait of Hormuz?
During a rally in Garden City, New York, on August 28, 2026, President Trump stated that he would soon declare the Strait of Hormuz a territory of the United States after defeating Iran.
How has Iran responded to the US naval blockade?
Iran has imposed its own blockade on the Strait, deployed sea mines, and threatened through officials like Mohsen Rezaei to target US economic interests if American blockades on Iranian ports continue.
Who is Iran’s current supreme leader?
Mojtaba Khamenei assumed the role of supreme leader a week into the war following airstrikes, though he has remained entirely unseen in public while recovering from wounds.
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