Trump is threatening to bomb Oman, but why?

The world knows that is angry with . But he鈥檚 not happy with the small country lying across the from the Islamic Republic, either: Oman.

Oman has played a relatively low-profile role since the Iran war began, including as a mediator. But its geography has thrust the sultanate into the uncomfortable position of negotiating with Tehran over management of the strait while facing Trump鈥檚 threats.

Trump this week told Fox News reporter Trey Yingst that the U.S. would bomb Oman if it 鈥済ets in the way,鈥� using an expletive for emphasis. It鈥檚 not the first such threat he鈥檚 made. Oman鈥檚 foreign ministry didn鈥檛 immediately respond to emailed questions about Trump鈥檚 threat and when Oman and Iran might issue a joint statement on their deal.

Here鈥檚 a look at the country in the middle of the Washington-Tehran tug-of-war.

Trump is not happy about emerging Oman-Iran deal

Trump threatened Oman because he鈥檚 not happy that it鈥檚 close to a deal with Iran over the strait, Tuesday.

Trump is under pressure. He vowed a quick war and a weakened Iran, along with a better deal on Tehran鈥檚 nuclear program. Instead, Iran has seized on the Strait of Hormuz as a new weapon in talks, asserting control of what had been seen as an international waterway before the war.

U.S.-Iran negotiations have dried up. This week ended that launched when the U.S. and Iran signed an interim agreement. It had been meant to open the way for more detailed talks. There’s no sign of it being extended. Trump now says there are no planned talks with Iran.

So the only confirmed discussions happening now are between Iran and Oman about shipping on the strait. These have been going on for weeks. Oman hasn鈥檛 said much about them publicly. Tehran says they鈥檙e finalizing a joint statement. There鈥檚 widespread thinking that Iran is not in much of a hurry.

Trump has made plenty of threats against Iran. Now he’s venting his frustration at Oman, too.

The sultanate had been trying to make peace

Oman, with a population of just over 5 million, is one of the quieter actors in the Gulf. It has allowed the U.S. military to use its facilities, though Washington has described defense relations as smaller in scale compared with Gulf neighbors like the United Arab Emirates.

Unlike other regional states, Oman hasn鈥檛 been targeted during the war in the way that Tehran has lashed out at other Gulf neighbors. The Washington-based Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft notes that while Omani ports have been targeted by drones, Iran hasn’t claimed responsibility and Oman hasn’t blamed Iran, and no missiles have struck Omani territory.

Oman鈥檚 leaders have long preferred engagement with Iran. The sultanate has been involved in mediation efforts, but that work is now being driven by Qatar and Pakistan.

The world’s focus has turned more toward Oman since the interim agreement was signed. Not long after the signing, the relative calm was shattered when Iran started firing at ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz near the Oman coast on a route supported by the U.S.

Now Oman is in discussions that appear to be driven by Iran, which has described the talks as aiming to 鈥渄evelop mechanisms to ensure safe navigation through the Strait of Hormuz while respecting the sovereign rights and sovereignty of both coastal states, as well as Iran鈥檚 security and national interests.鈥� The mechanisms might include fees.

Regional officials have said the emerging deal calls for ships to enter the Persian Gulf through an Iranian-controlled route and exit through a route controlled by Oman. But any deal appears to rely on the U.S. lifting its blockade of Iranian ports.

Oman earlier this month described the talks as 鈥減roceeding in a positive and constructive atmosphere,鈥� while in the same statement condemning repeated attacks on ships transiting the strait.

After a meeting Tuesday between Oman鈥檚 foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart, Egypt said the Iranian-Omani deal could pave the way for the U.S. and Tehran to return to negotiations for a 鈥渃omprehensive and permanent deal that addresses all concerns and enhances regional security and stability.鈥�

It is not clear what effect Trump鈥檚 threat might have

Oman is caught between two heavily armed and stubborn powers. Meanwhile, global supplies of oil, natural gas and related goods are only able to get through the strait at a reduced level, with ships still at risk of attack.

Since Trump’s latest threat, the government’s Oman News Agency has been posting about other things 鈥� the Muscat Stock Exchange, sports, imports of coffee and tea. Foreign ministry statements have focused on diplomatic meetings and greetings.

It is not clear whether Trump鈥檚 threat will make any difference in Oman’s talks with Iran, including in hurrying the countries to finalize and announce a deal.

But it’s clear that the U.S. president is passing along the growing heat his administration feels as midterm elections approach, and as the global economy watches events on the Iran-gripped strait for any sign of relief.

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Associated Press writer Samy Magdy in Cairo contributed.

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