US pressures Oman to sever ties with Iran: Report

Trump recently threatened to 'bomb' Oman if the country proceeded with Iran's proposal for joint management of the Strait of Hormuz  

News Desk - The Cradle 

White House officials are pressuring Oman to distance itself from Tehran and sever diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic, allegedly growing “increasingly frustrated” with Muscat's neutral stance, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on 2 June, citing US and Arab officials.

This push follows US intelligence assessments suggesting that Oman may have considered a joint arrangement with Iran to impose fees on vessels navigating the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump has responded to these reports with threats of economic sanctions and military force. 

During a cabinet meeting, the president warned that Muscat must align with international norms or face consequences, stating, “Oman will behave just like everybody else, or we’ll have to blow them up.”

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also threatened sanctions if Oman proceeds with plans to charge transit fees in the waterway.

Following the bombing threats, Iran declared “total solidarity” with the Sultanate, while Omani officials have repeatedly denied any intent to implement such tolls.

Omani Information Minister Abdulla al-Harrasi emphasized that the Sultanate remains “ready to work with the United States and all responsible partners to promote stability” and protect mutual interests. 

While Bessent noted that Oman's ambassador to Washington, Talal Alrahbi, provided assurances against tolling, Washington has moved to sideline Oman in diplomatic discussions due to a supposed loss of trust.

This pressure marks a significant challenge for a nation that has historically served as a mediator, facilitating major agreements like the 2015 nuclear pact. 

Oman’s refusal to condemn Iranian actions – such as recent maritime blockades – has drawn criticism from both the US and regional neighbors like Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

While Muscat argues that keeping communication channels open is vital for regional stability, US officials now interpret this impartial policy as hostile toward US interests. 

Oman’s leverage over the vital strait has been further highlighted by Iran's early announcement of the establishment of the Persian Gulf Strait Authority (PGSA), a new body designed to regulate maritime transit and collect fees from commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. 

This move, which would transform a long-held Iranian warning into an “administrative reality,” gives Tehran significant new leverage over one of the world’s most critical trade arteries and places the Sultanate of Oman at the center of regional stability calculations.

As part of the US maximum pressure campaign dubbed “Economic Fury,” the US Treasury Department blacklisted the PGSA in late May, with the designation by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) effectively freezing the agency’s assets and prohibiting global business with Iran.

Analysts note that Oman's role is defined by its status as the physical and legal guardian of the gateway, placing it directly in the aim of US ambitions in the region.

Because the Musandam Peninsula extends into the waterway, the primary deep-water shipping lanes essential for international tankers fall entirely within Omani territorial waters. 

This geography grants Muscat the technical authority to oversee traffic separation schemes and safety regulations, positioning the Sultanate as the primary arbiter of the world's most vital energy transit point.