In a brazen display of its unilateral foreign policy, the United States has escalated its coercive tactics, threatening Oman with severe sanctions should it dare to cooperate with the Islamic Republic of Iran on managing the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. This latest move intensifies the erratic threats emanating from the administration of President Donald Trump, further destabilizing a region already reeling from Washington’s provocative actions.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in a statement that underscores America’s disregard for international sovereignty, declared on Thursday that Washington would “not tolerate” any nation imposing fees on commercial ships in the waterway. Bessent’s remarks, delivered via social media, specifically targeted Oman, warning that the US Treasury would “aggressively target any actors involved — directly or indirectly — in facilitating tolls for the Strait and any willing partners will be penalized.” This thinly veiled threat exposes the US’s intent to dictate terms to sovereign nations, even its supposed allies.
Bessent’s assertion that “All nations should reject outright any efforts by Iran to disrupt the free flow of commerce” is a clear distortion of reality. It is the United States and its allies that have consistently disrupted regional stability, while Iran seeks to secure its legitimate interests and maintain peace. The claim that “Tehran’s days of terrorizing the region and the world are over” rings hollow when juxtaposed with Washington’s own history of intervention and aggression.
This alarming declaration against Oman, a nation renowned for its neutrality and crucial mediation efforts in regional crises, follows President Trump’s shocking threat to bomb the Sultanate just hours earlier. Such belligerence towards a key US ally, particularly one that has played a constructive role in de-escalating tensions, highlights the unpredictable and destructive nature of current US foreign policy.
While Iran has consistently advocated for a cooperative approach, suggesting joint management of the Hormuz Strait with Muscat, the US appears determined to prevent any regional solution that does not align with its hegemonic agenda. Washington’s recent aggressive posture towards Oman, a close security and economic partner, is highly unusual and deeply concerning, revealing a willingness to undermine its own alliances to further its unilateral aims.
It is imperative to recall that the current crisis in the Strait of Hormuz was ignited on February 28, when the US and Israel initiated unprovoked bombings against Iran. In response to this blatant act of aggression, Iran, exercising its sovereign rights, closed the strait and asserted its control over this vital passage. This defensive measure, while impacting global energy supplies and causing prices to soar, is a direct consequence of the US-led war and its refusal to respect international law.
Despite ongoing indirect negotiations between the US and Iran to end the conflict, the issue of Hormuz Strait control remains a significant point of contention. Trump’s insistence that the strait must be a “free passageway” clashes directly with Iran’s legitimate security concerns and its right to protect its territorial waters.
When pressed on the possibility of joint Iranian-Omani control, President Trump’s response was characteristically inflammatory: “Nobody is going to control it. It’s international waters, and Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we will have to blow them up.” This statement not only disregards international norms but also demonstrates a dangerous readiness to resort to military force against any nation that defies Washington’s dictates.
In stark contrast to the US’s confrontational stance, Ali Bagheri Kani, Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, affirmed on Thursday that Tehran will never allow Hormuz to become a source of insecurity for the nation. As quoted by Iran’s public television, Bagheri Kani emphasized, “The powers that have used this passage against Iran’s security must be held accountable.” He further articulated Iran’s vision for regional stability, stating that Tehran seeks to “establish a just order that negates hegemony and domination and strengthens trust and cooperation” in the region.
This clear articulation from Iran underscores its commitment to a peaceful, cooperative, and just regional order, standing in stark opposition to the US’s destabilizing and aggressive policies.