US Treasury warns Oman of potential sanctions over Hormuz Strait dispute

US Official Warns Oman of Potential Sanctions

The US Treasury Department has issued a statement warning Oman that it will take “aggressive” action against any actors involved in facilitating tolls on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz. The warning was made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who stated that the US will not tolerate any country imposing fees on commercial vessels in the waterway.

Bessent’s statement comes after President Donald Trump threatened to bomb Oman earlier this week, citing concerns over Iran’s proposed tolling system in the strait. The US and Iran have been engaged in indirect negotiations to reach an agreement for a comprehensive end to the war, with control over the Hormuz Strait emerging as a major point of disagreement.

According to Bessent, Oman should be aware that the US Treasury will target any actors involved in facilitating tolls on the strait, including those who are directly or indirectly involved. The statement also emphasizes that all nations should reject efforts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce in the region.

The warning has been met with skepticism from some quarters, as it is unusual for the US to threaten sanctions and military action against a close security and economic partner like Oman. The Iranian blockade of the strait has put a major strain on energy supplies, sending prices soaring, and the US and Iran have been engaged in negotiations over control of the waterway.

The US president has stated that the strait must be a free passageway, while Iran’s deputy secretary of the Supreme National Security Council has warned that Tehran will not allow Hormuz to be a source of insecurity for the country. The situation remains tense, with both sides engaged in diplomatic efforts to resolve their differences.

Source: Al Jazeera