US President Donald Trump has threatened to bomb Oman if it obstructs Washington’s efforts to reach a deal with Iran over the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz.

Trump made the warning on Monday while speaking to Fox News journalist Trey Yingst, amid parallel discussions between the US, Iran and Oman over future navigation arrangements through the waterway.

“If Oman gets in the way, we’ll bomb the shit out of them,” Trump was quoted as saying.

Iranian and Omani officials have reportedly held talks for weeks, with Iran’s foreign ministry saying on Monday that the two countries were working towards a joint declaration on maritime navigation.

The Strait of Hormuz remains at the centre of the wider conflict in the Middle East. Iran effectively closed the waterway at the start of the war on February 28, severely restricting traffic through one of the world’s most important energy routes.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that the strait should come under US control. On Friday, he said he could declare the waterway part of US territory, a position Iran strongly rejected.

Before the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz was regarded as an international waterway and carried a substantial share of global energy shipments and other commodities.

Trump also called on Iran to surrender, telling Yingst that Tehran should “put up the white flag of surrender”.

The US president said he was not rushing to reach an agreement despite the political pressure surrounding the war ahead of America’s November midterm elections.

Trump further claimed that his administration maintains a direct back-channel with officials of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, describing them as “good poker players” while saying they were “dying”.

Oman borders the southern side of the Strait of Hormuz, while Iran lies to the north. Any agreement affecting navigation through the waterway could have significant implications for regional security and global energy supplies.