United States President Donald Trump threatened to “blow up” Oman if it intervenes in the dispute over access to the Strait of Hormuz.
The threat came as reports suggested Muscat was discussing with Iran the management of the vital waterway carrying over 20 percent of global oil shipments.
“Nobody is going to control it,” Trump said of the strait during a cabinet meeting in Washington. “It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up.”
Meanwhile, US Treasury Secretary warned Oman against supporting any toll system in the Strait of Hormuz, saying Washington would strongly target anyone involved in imposing charges on ships passing through the strategic waterway.
The United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz. Oman, in particular, should know that the U.S. Treasury will aggressively target any actors involved – directly or indirectly – in facilitating tolls for the Strait and…
— Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (@SecScottBessent) May 28, 2026
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the US opposes any illegal control or tolling system affecting maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.
He specifically warned Oman that if any country or group attempted to facilitate Iran’s proposed toll collection system, the US Treasury Department would directly or indirectly target all parties involved.
Bessent added that countries and organizations supporting Iran in this matter could also face sanctions.
