U.S. President Donald Trump has drawn renewed international attention after a report by CNN on Thursday, May 28, 2026, alleged that he has either threatened, authorised, or carried out military action involving a significant number of countries during his time in office.
According to the report, which was also cited in wider international coverage, Trump has at various points been linked to direct military strikes, conditional threats, or public statements that did not rule out the use of force against at least 15 countries roughly one out of every 13 nations globally.
The latest development cited in the report came after comments made during a White House Cabinet meeting, where Trump issued a warning directed at Oman over tensions linked to the strategic Strait of Hormuz. The remarks added Oman to the list of countries associated with his recent hardline foreign policy statements.
During the meeting, Trump reportedly said Oman must “behave” or face consequences, adding that any attempt to influence control of the waterway in cooperation with Iran would not be tolerated. The statement has been widely interpreted as part of a broader pattern of aggressive rhetoric surrounding global shipping routes and regional security disputes.
The CNN-based analysis claims that some of the countries referenced in the broader tally have experienced actual U.S. military strikes, while others were subject to warnings or public remarks suggesting possible future action. The report also noted that in several cases, Trump’s comments were framed as spontaneous or informal rather than formal policy declarations.
In the current term alone, the report alleges that military strikes have been carried out in multiple countries, including operations targeting militant or strategic sites rather than direct government structures. Other incidents referenced include maritime operations against suspected trafficking vessels, which have resulted in significant casualties, according to the report’s figures.
Beyond confirmed strikes, the analysis also highlights countries that have been mentioned in the context of possible action or political pressure. These include nations in North America, South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe, reflecting what the report describes as a broad geographic scope of U.S. military signalling.
The Middle East remains a central focus of the tensions, with several countries in the region reportedly affected by either direct operations or public threats linked to ongoing conflicts and strategic disputes. The Strait of Hormuz, in particular, has emerged as a key flashpoint due to its importance to global energy shipments.