U.S. warns Oman not to engage in facilitating tolls for Strait of Hormuz

New Delhi ( The Indian View team) : The ‌United States warned Oman on Thursday (May 28) not ⁠to get directly or indirectly involved in any ‌effort to impose a toll ‌in the ‌Strait ⁠of Hormuz, saying ⁠it will penalise any partners involved in such a system.

The ‌United States Government will not tolerate any effort to impose ‌a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz,” ⁠U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in ‌a post on X.

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 any willing ⁠partners will be penalised,” Mr. Bessent ‌added.

Why did Trump suddenly mention Oman?

The comments came after reports that Iran and Oman had discussed possible maritime arrangements linked to the Strait of Hormuz, including a potential payment framework tied to shipping management and security services. Trump rejected any suggestion that Iran or Oman could oversee the strategic waterway. It’s international waters. Nobody’s going to control it. We’re going to watch over it,” he said during a White House Cabinet meeting.

Why is Oman important in the Hormuz crisis?

Oman occupies one of the most strategically sensitive locations in the Gulf. The Gulf of Oman forms the main maritime approach to the Strait of Hormuz from the Arabian Sea, making Muscat a key stakeholder in regional shipping security. But Oman’s importance is not only geographic. For decades, Muscat has maintained close ties with both Western powers and Iran, allowing it to play the role of neutral intermediary during periods of tension. Oman hosted backchannel talks during previous US-Iran nuclear negotiations and has frequently acted as a discreet diplomatic bridge between Tehran and Washington.