The US administration has issued a stern warning to Oman, a Gulf ally, over the Strait of Hormuz. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent declared on May 28 that Washington will 'not tolerate' Iran or any country imposing fees on commercial ships passing through this strategic waterway.
In a social media post, Bessent emphasized: 'Oman, in particular, should know that the US Treasury will strongly target any party, directly or indirectly, involved in facilitating the Hormuz Strait toll, and well-intentioned partners will also be sanctioned.' He also called on nations to reject any Iranian efforts to disrupt free trade flows, asserting 'the era of Tehran terrorizing the region and the world is over.'
This statement came less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman, a rare move against a country known for its neutrality and mediation in regional crises, including US-Iran tensions.
The Strait of Hormuz became a flashpoint after Iran closed the route and asserted sovereignty, following US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28. About 20% of the world's oil once transited through Hormuz before the conflict, making Iran's blockade a major strain on global energy supplies and pushing oil prices higher.
While Iran has proposed that Tehran and Muscat jointly manage the strait, Oman has not yet commented on controlling the waterway. Speaking to reporters on May 27, President Trump rejected the possibility of allowing Iran and Oman joint control, stating: 'No one controls it. It's international waters, and Oman must behave like any other country, or we will have to bomb them.'
On Iran's side, Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, stated on May 28 that Tehran will not allow Hormuz to become a source of instability for the country. He stressed that 'the powers that have used this passage against Iran's security must be held accountable' and that Iran seeks to 'establish a just order, reject hegemony and domination, while strengthening trust and cooperation' in the region.
