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May 28, 2026 · Morning edition
In a significant overnight development, US President Donald Trump threatened to 'blow up' Oman if it fails to 'behave' regarding the Strait of Hormuz. This warning comes amidst reports of ongoing talks between Iran and Oman about jointly charging a toll for ships passing through the critical waterway, which has been largely closed since the US-Israel war on Iran began. Concurrently, the Trump administration on Wednesday imposed additional sanctions on Iran, targeting its newly established 'Persian Gulf Strait Authority' which aims to control and charge for shipping through the strait. The US also conducted new strikes inside Iran, downing drones and targeting military facilities, with previous strikes reported to be defensive. These actions further intensify the protracted conflict and global energy concerns, with conflicting reports emerging about the progress of a potential US-Iran draft agreement and Iran's insistence on managing traffic through Hormuz.
U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark overnight warning to Oman amid escalating tensions over the Strait of Hormuz, threatening to “blow up” the country if it fails to “behave” over the critical waterway, according to The Guardian. The comments came as reports described talks between Iran and Oman about jointly charging a toll for ships passing through the strait, which has been largely closed since the U.S.-Israel war on Iran began.
The confrontation widened on Wednesday as the Trump administration imposed new sanctions on Iran, targeting its newly established Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which Washington says is seeking to control and charge for shipping through Hormuz, AP reported. The U.S. also carried out new strikes inside Iran, downing drones and targeting military facilities, while earlier strikes were described as defensive.
The combined diplomatic, military and economic pressure has intensified global concern over energy flows through one of the world’s most sensitive maritime chokepoints. It also comes amid conflicting signals about a possible U.S.-Iran draft agreement: some reports pointed to progress, while Iran continued to insist on managing traffic through Hormuz.
The Middle East tensions are extending beyond the Gulf. Israel has declared all areas south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River, about 40 kilometers from the border, to be “combat zones” and urged residents to evacuate ahead of further strikes against Hezbollah. The move follows intensified Israeli operations in southern and eastern Lebanon. At the same time, the Pentagon is set to host a fourth round of U.S.-brokered security negotiations between Israel and Lebanon today.
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Elsewhere, the Trump administration is easing pressure on Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez. AP reported that federal prosecutors in Miami have been directed to halt criminal investigations into Rodríguez, long a target of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The move signals a warming in relations between Washington and the oil-rich country following the ouster of Nicolas Maduro.
At the United Nations, Ukraine has requested an open Security Council briefing today after what it called a “new level of Russian aggression.” Ukraine has reported large-scale missile and drone attacks against multiple cities, including Kyiv, and said Russia used nuclear-capable Oreshnik missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed to the United States for more Patriot air defense munitions.
China, meanwhile, is using its May presidency of the Security Council to promote a broader message on global governance. Foreign Minister Wang Yi convened a high-level meeting on upholding the UN Charter and strengthening the UN-centered international system, presenting what Chinese state-linked reporting described as “five reinvigorations” aimed at strengthening the organization’s role, authority and effectiveness.
U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to “blow up” Oman if it does not “behave” over the Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating an already volatile confrontation around one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Read full articleThe Trump administration has quietly instructed federal prosecutors in Miami to halt criminal investigations into Venezuela’s acting President Delcy Rodríguez, according to an Associated Press report.
Read full articleThe UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an open briefing on Ukraine this afternoon, May 28, after Kyiv requested a meeting over what it described as a “new level of Russian aggression.”
Read full articleIsrael has declared all areas south of Lebanon’s Zahrani River to be “combat zones” and urged residents to evacuate, in a sign of further anticipated strikes against Hezbollah.
Read full articleChina, serving as the rotating president of the UN Security Council for May, convened a high-level meeting today on “Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-Centred International…
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