US warns of sanctions against Oman over Hormuz tolls amid Gulf tensions
Washington threatens aggressive penalties if Muscat assists Tehran in establishing a tolling system, intensifying diplomatic friction with a key regional ally.
The United States has issued a severe warning to Oman, stating it will aggressively impose sanctions if the Gulf state assists Iran in establishing a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared on Thursday that Washington would not tolerate fees on commercial ships in the strategic waterway, signalling a hardening of the administration’s stance as indirect negotiations with Tehran remain deadlocked.
Bessent emphasised that the US Treasury would target any actors, directly or indirectly, involved in facilitating tolls, describing such efforts as unacceptable. In a social media post, he stated that Oman should be aware that any willing partners would be penalised. The Treasury Secretary added that all nations must reject attempts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce, asserting that Tehran’s era of regional intimidation was over.
The warning follows intense rhetoric from President Donald Trump, who threatened military action against Oman less than 24 hours prior. Trump insisted that the strait must remain international waters and stated that Oman would be treated like any other nation or face severe consequences. When asked about the possibility of joint Iranian-Omani control, the President dismissed the notion, stating that nobody would control the passage and that Oman must behave like everyone else.
Iran has maintained a blockade of the strait since late February, following the commencement of US and Israeli bombing campaigns on 28 February. Tehran claims sovereignty over the waterway, with Ali Bagheri Kani, deputy secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, stating on Thursday that Iran would not allow the Hormuz Strait to be a source of insecurity. Kani argued that powers using the passage against Iran’s security must be held accountable and called for a just order that negates hegemony.
Oman, traditionally known for its neutrality and mediation efforts, has not confirmed any intention to seek control over the waterway, parts of which flow through its territory. The blockade has significantly strained global energy supplies, as approximately 20 percent of the world’s oil previously flowed through the strait, driving prices up. The control of the Hormuz Strait has emerged as a primary point of disagreement in the ongoing indirect negotiations between the US and Iran.
