The US Treasury Secretary threatened today (28/5) to impose sanctions on the sultanate of Oman, which is a US ally, in case it cooperates with Iran at the Strait of Hormuz. “The US government will not tolerate any attempt to establish a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz,” wrote Scott Bessent on the X platform. “Particularly Oman should know that the Treasury Department will relentlessly target anyone involved – indirectly or directly – in implementing tolls in the Strait and that any collaborator will face sanctions,” he warned.
Trump: Questions over threat to ‘pulverize’ Oman
Yesterday, US President Donald Trump caused surprise by threatening, during the cabinet meeting, to “pulverize” Oman, with some wondering if he made a mistake and meant “Iran.” The American president had been asked about the potential future control of the Strait by countries neighboring this maritime area, Oman and Iran, a scenario he rejected. The Strait must “be open to everyone” because it consists of “international waters,” he said.
A few hours later, the American government imposed economic sanctions on the new service that Tehran established to collect transit fees from the Strait, the “Persian Gulf Strait Authority” (PGSA).
