US Treasury warns Oman against joining Strait of Hormuz tolls, threatens sanctions

What happened

The New Arab reports that US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has threatened to sanction Oman if it participates in imposing tolls in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which about a fifth of the world's energy supplies pass. Bessent said the US would 'not tolerate' any effort to establish such a tolling system and would penalize any actors involved directly or indirectly, explicitly naming Oman.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure or battlefield claim should be read as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source. Bessent confirmed he spoke with the Omani ambassador, who assured there were no plans to impose tolls. He described the prospect as a 'non-starter' and warned against risking sanctions on Omani individuals or financial institutions. This warning follows Iranian proposals to create a toll system on the strait, part of broader negotiations with Washington.

The Strait of Hormuz has become a focal point of conflict since the US and Israel launched a war on Iran in February, provoking Iranian retaliation and effectively blocking the strait at times. This disruption has driven global energy and fertilizer prices higher. Oman previously played a mediator role in talks between the US and Iran before the current conflict escalated, but now stands under US pressure regarding any involvement in toll imposition.

Known from the source

• US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent threatened sanctions against Oman if it participates in imposing tolls in the Strait of Hormuz.
• Bessent stated the US will penalize any actors involved directly or indirectly in toll imposition on the strait.
• Oman’s ambassador assured the US there are no plans to impose tolls.
• Iran has proposed a tolling system in the Strait of Hormuz as part of negotiations with Washington.
• The Strait of Hormuz handles about 20% of the world’s energy supplies and has been a conflict flashpoint since February.

What remains unclear

On the same day as Bessent’s warning, the US Treasury sanctioned Iran’s Persian Gulf Strait Authority, which collects fees for transit through the strait. Washington extended sanction threats to anyone paying these fees, linking the authority to Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Meanwhile, ongoing fighting and accusations between Iran and the US have cast doubt on efforts to maintain a ceasefire and resume diplomacy.

What remains unclear: Whether Oman has any formal plans or agreements to join toll imposition beyond the stated assurances. Details of the sanction measures and their direct targets, including how broadly the US will enforce penalties on third parties. Official response from Oman to these US threats beyond the ambassador’s statement. Independent confirmation of the connection between the Persian Gulf Strait Authority’s fees and Revolutionary Guard support.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: The New Arab. Open the source.