TRUMP’S THREATS AGAINST OMAN ARE BECOMING ROUTINE, DIPLOMAT SAYS
An Omani source has told Al-Monitor that Washington’s threats are no longer shocking. Muscat was stunned by Trump’s first warning of bombing, but his latest threats have been met with displeasure rather than alarm.
The source said Oman is getting used to the fact that such threats are repeated over and over again. The country is not taking them seriously.
The Washington Post reported that Trump’s threats against South Korea and Oman are signs of growing anger. The president sees no way out of the war he himself started.
Oman has been a key mediator between the US and Iran. Muscat has hosted multiple rounds of talks. It has maintained good relations with both Washington and Tehran. That neutrality now makes it a target of Trump’s frustration.
The US has threatened Oman before. In late July, Trump threatened to bomb Muscat if it did not stop mediating with Iran. Oman rejected the demand and continued its role. The threat did not work.
Now Trump is threatening again. Oman is still mediating. The war is still going.
If threats no longer work on Oman, what makes Trump think they will work on anyone else. And if the president is lashing out at allies and mediators, who is left to trust him.