U.S. threatens sanctions and military action against Oman

The Trump administration’s threats against Oman, a long-time US ally, reputation It has come into the geopolitical spotlight as the “Switzerland of the Middle East”.

Located on the southeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula and facing Iran via the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, Oman has served as an important intermediary in regional crises, including the US and Israel’s war against Iran.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned Thursday that the United States would “aggressively” sanction Oman if it helps Iran establish a toll system in the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway that handles about 20 percent of the world’s global oil traffic.

“Oman, in particular, should know that the US Treasury will aggressively target all actors involved in facilitating transit passage across the Bosphorus – directly or indirectly – and that all willing partners will be punished,” Bessent said. he said. in question In a post on X.

“All nations must publicly reject any effort by Iran to disrupt the free flow of trade.”

His comments came less than 24 hours after President Donald Trump threatened military action against its Gulf partner.

When asked by a reporter during the Cabinet meeting about his thoughts on Oman and Iran controlling trade in the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said, “Oman will act like everyone else, or we will have to blow them up. They understand that. Nothing will happen to them.”

CNBC has contacted a spokesperson for Oman’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is awaiting a response. Iran before stated It may jointly govern the Strait of Hormuz with Oman, but Muscat has not said it wants control of one of the world’s most important oil chokepoints.

Geopolitical analysts said the US’s threats against Oman, a close economic and security partner, marked a highly unusual change of stance.

Brian Katulis, senior fellow at the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank, said Oman plays an important role in the Strait of Hormuz due to its geography and territory on the western side of the waterway. He noted that the country has a long-standing policy of maintaining open flows of oil and other goods.

“He also sees himself as the ‘Switzerland’ of the Middle East, a mediator who speaks to all parties and aims to maintain positive relations with all countries,” Katulis told CNBC via email. he said.

“Trump’s threats against Oman are a sign of his frustration and desperation at not achieving the results he hoped for in Iran,” Katulis said. he said. “This is another example of his performance diplomacy and use of his troll power, which will likely be nothing more than words.”

“This was in response to a question about recent reports suggesting that Iran and Oman are developing a new mechanism in the Strait of Hormuz that includes not tolls but joint ‘control.’ Control is what Iran and Oman will retain for the rest of time, thanks to geography,” Haghirian said. in question Wednesday via social media.

“What he said was probably not intentional and stemmed from Al Busaidi’s disdain for the Omani Foreign Minister for his mediation in February. Regardless, statements issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council will be needed to condemn Trump’s words,” he added.

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., harshly criticized the president for his comments regarding Oman.

“The threat to ‘blow up’ Oman, an ally of the United States and a key intermediary in negotiations with Iran, is another sign of why this war has gone off the rails. They are in a constant state of panic, making mistake after mistake,” Murphy said. in question in a post on social media on Thursday.

A White House spokesman was not immediately available to respond.

The United States and Iran have agreed to extend the ceasefire and lift restrictions on shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing unnamed sources, but Trump has not yet ratified the deal and Iranian state media said the deal has not yet been finalized.