President Trump’s public threat against Oman has aggravated tensions with a Gulf state long known for its neutrality, but the episode may also strengthen Britain’s long-standing partnership with Muscat. Oman has historically mediated between Washington and Tehran and hosts important British defence and intelligence facilities, including the Duqm base and reported GCHQ activity. Analysts say Oman is likely to maintain its pragmatic, neutral course despite pressure from the US.
Trump’s Threat To Oman Strains US Ties — And May Reinforce Britain’s Key Middle East Ally
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Donald Trump’s recent public attack on Oman — including a headline-making threat — has strained relations with a Gulf state long prized for its neutrality. The confrontation has also highlighted Britain’s enduring strategic ties with the sultanate and may ultimately strengthen London’s influence in Muscat.
Vessels anchored in the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Musandam in Oman - Reuters
Why the Row Matters
For decades Oman has acted as a discreet mediator between Washington and Tehran, prized for its ability to speak to both sides. That role is now under pressure after reports that Muscat was involved in talks with Iran during a fraught period of strikes on Tehran and after US media suggested Oman had explored charging ships transiting the Strait of Hormuz.
Members of the armed forces of the UK and Oman carry out a joint exercise in 2018 - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
"Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up," President Trump said in a widely reported remark that shocked diplomats and pundits alike.
The comment prompted speculation that the president misspoke or was venting. Even so, current and former US officials say bilateral relations have cooled. Oman has responded with characteristic silence, declining public comment while Muscat’s diplomats absorb the fallout.
The then Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in Nizwa in Oman during their 2013 Middle East tour - Chris Jackson/Getty Images
Britain’s Strategic Role
Oman remains one of Britain’s closest partners in the Middle East. London helped bring Sultan Qaboos to power in 1970 and provided critical support during the Dhofar rebellion. Today Britain retains deep defence and intelligence ties with Oman: thousands of troops train there, British military advisers remain embedded across the armed forces, and the British-operated base at Duqm is a key node for regional power projection.
Talal Alrahbi, with Donald Trump in the Oval Office in July 2025, as he presented his credentials as ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States
Intelligence links are particularly significant. GCHQ is reported to operate in Oman and monitor major subsea cables and regional military movements, adding to the country’s strategic importance for the UK.
0605 Transit of the Strait of Hormuz
Oman’s Balancing Act
Oman’s foreign policy motto of being "a friend to all and an enemy to none" has been remarkably consistent. Under Sultan Qaboos, Muscat maintained pragmatic ties with Tehran, hosting early back-channel talks that helped pave the way for the 2015 Iran nuclear agreement. Sultan Haitham bin Tarik, Qaboos’s successor, has broadened economic relations with China while preserving security partnerships with Western states — notably by expanding Duqm, signaling that Western defence ties remain central.
Oman’s foreign minister, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi, has drawn ire in Washington for publicly criticising actions that derailed talks with Iran. Some US officials began to view his positions as indicative of an official Omani tilt, which contributed to the chill in relations.
What Comes Next
Analysts say Oman is unlikely to abandon its neutral approach under threats or public pressure. Muscat’s strategy relies on strategic neutrality, patience and consistency — traits that have helped it weather criticism from regional rivals and occasional friction with partners.
At the same time, the row with the US may yield an unintended consequence for Britain: a reinforcement of ties as London remains one of the most trusted Western partners for Muscat. Officials on both sides are likely to pursue quiet diplomacy to de-escalate tensions and preserve long-term cooperation.
Bottom Line
President Trump’s remarks have put a spotlight on Oman’s delicate diplomacy and the value of its Western relationships. While the incident has created short-term strain with Washington, it has also underscored why Britain’s deep defence, intelligence and diplomatic links with Oman remain strategically important.
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